ivi  \J  o  o  Jt/w 


H  A  HAND -LENS 


NORTH  CAROLINA 

College  of  agriculture  and  /mechanic  arts. 


§m\ 


Alcove 
Shelf- 


-k  Due 


N  5  -  19! 

!b 

39 

de  -8 

MAY  2  a 

! 

/ 

7160 


"••< 


MOSSES 


WITH     A     HAND-LENS 


A  Non-Technical  Handbook   of  the  More  Common 

and  More  Easily  Recognized  Mosses  of  the 

North-Eastern  United  States 


A.  J.   GROUT,   Ph.   D. 
BOYS'  HIGH  SCHOOL,  BROOKLYN,  N.  Y 


ILLUSTRATED    BY 

MARY  V.   THAYER 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOR 

360  Lenox  Road,   Flatbush 

NEW  YORK  CITY 


Copyrighted  1900  by  A.  J.  Grout,  Ph.  D. 

ALL    RIGHTS    RESERVED 


PRESS  OF 
BlNGHAMTON   REPUBLICAN 


PREFACE 

MOSSES  are  individually  so  small  and  inconspicuous  that  the 
effect  which  they  have  as  a  mass  in  creating  and  enhanc- 
ing the  beauty  of  natural  scenery  is  often  overlooked. 
Yet  if  one  recalls  the  desolate  and  uninviting  appearance  of  a 
wood  in  which  the  mosses  have  been  destroyed  by  fire,  or  observes 
carefully  the  part  which  mosses  play  in  completing  the  attractions 
of  mountain  scenery,  he  will  feel  like  saying  a  hearty  amen  to 
Ruskin's  enthusiastic  words  in  the  closing  paragraphs  of  his  essay 
on  "  Leaves  Motionless." 

The  freshness  which  a  summer  shower  brings  to  the  landscape 
is  largely  due  to  the  unfolding  of  the  mosses  on  tree  and  fence  and 
boulder  from  patches  of  lifeless  brown  into  soft  cushions  of  living 
green. 

Many  lovers  of  nature  have  observed  the  beauty  of  mosses 
and  have  collected  them  for  their  beauty  alone.  Many  more 
would  have  collected  and  studied  them  had  not  the  difficulties 
been  so  numerous  and  hard  to  overcome.  Until  very  recently 
there  has  been  no  literature  in  the  English  language  that  was 
suited  to  the  needs  of  the  beginner.  Owing  to  the  small  size  of 
most  mosses,  the  characters  which  separate  species  and  even 
genera  are  so  largely  microscopic  that  a  compound  microscope 
has  been  considered  an  absolute  necessity  for  their  study. 

Many  years  of  study  of  mosses  in  the  field  and  in  herbaria 
have  convinced  the  author  that  any  person  of  average  intelligence 
can  easily  learn  to  recognize  seventy  five  to  one  hundred  common 
mosses  with  the  aid  of  an  ordinary  hand-lens  of  ten  to  fifteen 
diameters  magnifying  power. 

The  purpose  of  this  work  is  to  give,  by  drawings  and  descrip- 
tions, the  information  necessary  to  enable  any  one  interested  to 
become  acquainted  with  the  more  common  mosses  with  the  least 
possible  outlay  of  time,  patience,  and  money.  The  drawings  were 
made  without  the  aid  of  the  compound  microscope  in  order  that 
nothing  might  be  represented  that  is  not  readily  distinguished 
with  the  simple  microscope. 

Finally  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  by  the  student  that  the 
present  work  is  limited  and  incomplete  in  its  treatment,  and  is 
but  a  stepping  stone  to  the  larger  and  more  complete  works,  and 
to  the  broader  and  fuller  study  of  bryology. 

A.  J.  GROUT, 

Boys'  Hr;ii  School, 
August,   iqoo.  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


^ 


17160 


INTRODUCTION 

SO  many  different  kinds  of  plants  are  called  mosses  that  it  may 
be  well  to  clear  the  field  by  defining  the  true  mosses  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  other  plants  popularly  called  mosses. 

The  sea  weeds  or  marine  algee  are  often  known  as  sea  mosses, 
but  no  true  moss  grows  in  salt  water. 

The  moss  which  drapes  the  trees  in  swampy  regions  of  the 
South  is  not  a  true  moss,  but  a  flowering  plant  bearing  flowers 
and  seeds  like  a  rose  or  a  geranium. 

Lichens  are  frequently  confused  with  mosses,  but  they  never 
bear  leaves  and  never  are  of  a  bright  green,  but  a  grayish  or 
brownish  green,  rarely  black  or  bright  colored.  The  majority  of 
species  consist  of  a  flat  thin  body  usually  prostrate  and  closely 
applied  to  the  substance  upon  which  the  plant  grows  (substratum). 
The  "  Reindeer  Moss"  is  a  lichen  with  shrubby  hollow  stems;  the 
gray  "moss"  that  hangs  from  the  limbs  of  trees  in  Northern 
swamps  is  also  a  lichen. 

The  Hepaticas,  or  liverworts,  are  most  closely  allied  to  the 
mosses  and  some  species  are  difficult  to  distinguish  from  them. 
In  general,  however,  the  liverworts  consist  of  a  flat  expanded 
body  like  a  bright  green  lichen,  or,  if  leafy,  the  leaves  are  arranged 
in  two  rows  on  opposite  sides  of  the  stem  and  in  the  same  plane, 
giving  the  plant  a  flattened  appearance  unlike  the  great  majority 
of  mosses.  In  fruit  the  capsule  opens  by  four  valves  instead  of  a 
lid  as  in  the  mosses. 

The  terms  used  in  describing  mosses  are  fully  defined  and 
illustrated  in  the  glossary,  and  the  student  should  make  himself 
familiar  with  the  principal  terms  as  early  in  his  study  of  the 
mosses  as  practicable. 

The  beginner  in  the  study  of  mosses  should  be  content  with 
the  study  of  well  developed  fruiting  specimens.  Imperfect  or 
non- fruiting  mosses  often  prove  an  insoluble  puzzle  to  the  ad- 
vanced student  and  would  be  nothing  but  a  source  of  discourage- 
ment to  the  beginner.  Many  mosses  of  the  more  difficult  genera 
like  Hypnum  and  Bryum  are  not  included  in  this  book  because 
they  cannot  be  recognized  with  any  degree  of  certainty  without 
the  aid  of  the  compound  microscope.  As  some  of  these  difficult 
species  are  common  they  will  prove  a  source  of  annoyance  to  the 
beginner,  and  it  is  hoped  will  lead  him  to  obtain,  sooner  or  later, 
the  necessary  books  and  apparatus  for  a  more  extended  study. 


IN  I  KODI  CI  ION  V 

Almost  any  form  of  simple  microscope  will  serve,  for  the  study 
of  mosses  with  this  book,  but  to  obtain  the  best  results  it  should 
be  of  a  construction  suitable  for  carrying  in  the  pocket  into  the 
field.  It  is  also  very  desirable  that  the  student  have  a  lens  that 
can  be  used  on  a  stand  as  a  dissecting  microscope.  Lenses  are 
easily  obtainable  that  can  be  used  both  as  a  pocket  and  as  a  dis- 
secting microscope.  The  lens  should  be  ten  to  fifteen  diameters 
magnifying  power  and  with  as  large  a  field  as  one  can  afford. 

In  studying  very  minute  parts  it  will  often  be  of  advantage  to 
remove  them  with  forceps  and  mount  in  a  drop  of  water  between 
two  thin  strips  of  glass  or  mica,  the  method  used  with  the  com- 
pound microscope. 

Much  more  definite  data  are  needed  with  reference  to  the 
habitats  and  time  of  maturing  spores  of  even  our  common  mosses. 
The  author  has  intended  to  give  these  as  fully  as  the  existing  data 
would  permit.  In  using  this  book  as  a  guide  to  the  best  seasons 
for  collecting  any  given  species,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
seasons  are  a  month  or  so  earlier  in  southern  New  York  and  New 
Jersey  than  in  northern  New  England  and  Canada.  In  the 
former  locality  the  earliest  date  given  is  the  best ;  in  the  latter 
locality,  the  latest. 

The  following  literature  on  mosses  will  be  very  helpful  to 
those  desiring  a  more  complete  equipment  for  bryological  study: 

Mrs.  Britton's  Observer  articles,  the  files  of  The  Bryologist, 
the  author's  Vermont  Mosses,  Barnes  and  Heald's  Keys  to  the 
Genera  and  Species  of  North  American  Mosses;  the  various 
monographs  by  Mrs.  Britton,  Dr.  Best,  Prof.  Barnes,  Cheney,  and 
Grout;  Lesquereux  and  James'  Manual,  and  Dixon  and  Jameson's 
Hand -Book  of  the  British  Mosses.  Later  on  the  bryological  en- 
thusiast will  want  more  costly  and  extensive  works  in  English 
and  in  foreign  languages. 

In  the  pronunciation  of  the  scientific  names  it  is  well  to  re- 
member that  the  best  authorities  give  the  English  pronunciation 
^of  the  Latin  with  the  accent  according  to  the  rules  of  Latin  gram- 
mar. The  Roman  pronunciation  so  much  in  vogue  in  schools  and 
colleges  is  sure  at  some  early  date  to  supersede  the  English,  but 
at  present  the  English  has  the  weight  of  authority. 

The  pronunciation  is  indicated  by  the  same  signs  as  in  the  re- 
cent works  on  the  flowering  plants. 

\  Indicates  the  accent  and  the  long,  broad,  open,  or  close 
English  sound  of  the  vowel. 

/  Indicates  the  accent  and  the  short  English  sound. 


Vi  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

KEY  NO.  1 

Based  Mainly  on  Structural  Characters. 

Gray  to  gray-green ;  growing  only  in  bogs  and  swamps, 

Peat  Mosses. 

Not  gray  (except  White  Moss) ;  growing  in  various  situations,     2. 

2.     Acrocarpous, A. 

Pleurocarpous B. 


1.  Capsules  square  in  cross- section;  calyptra  hairy, 

Polytrichum. 

Capsules  rounded  in  cross-section ;  calyptra  various,      .       2. 

2.  Blackish,  or  brownish-green ;  growing  on  bark  of  living 

trees, 3. 

Green  (except  Hedwigia) ;  not  growing  on  trees,   .       .       4. 

3.  Capsule  long  exserted,  not  wrinkled  when  dry, 

Drummondia. 

Capsule  barely  exserted ;  strongly  wrinkled,  or  puckered 
about  the  mouth  when  dry,        ....  Weissia. 

4.  Capsules  sessile ;  seta  lacking, 5. 

Capsules  exserted ;  seta  evident, 6. 

5.  Capsules  green,  nearly  spherical ;  plants  of  sandy  fields, 

Pleuridium. 

Capsules  ventricose ;  plants  growing  on  shaded  banks, 

Webera. 

Capsules  subspherical,  somewhat  urn-shaped  when  dry 

and  empty;  plants  blackish-green,  growing  on  rocks, 

Hedwigia. 

6.  Capsules  erect,  urn-shaped,  .  .  .  Physcomitrium, 
Capsules  erect,  greatly  swollen  at  base,  .  .  Splachnum, 
Capsules  strongly  ventricose;    mature    plant    without 

leaves, Buxbaumia. 

Capsules  erect,  cylindric,  nearly  or  quite  straight,  .  7. 
Capsules  arcuate,  unsymmetric,  usually  cernuous,  .  10, 
Capsules  symmetric,  cernuous  or  pendent ;  ovoid,  pyri- 

form,  or  subglobose,   .    Mnium,  Bryum,  and  Letobryum, 

7.  Plants  growing  on  rotten  wood,  rarely  on  moist  peaty 

soil Georgia,  Dicranum  flagellare. 

Plants  not  growing  on  rotten  wood, 8. 

8.  Plants  with  hairy  calyptra  and  appearance  of  the  Hair- 

cap  Mosses, Pogonatum. 

Without  hairy  calyptra, 9. 

9.  Growing  in  moist  shady  places,  ....  Catharinea. 
Growing  in  dry  exposed  places,  .  . 

.    Dicranum,  Dicranella  heteromalla  orthocarpa. 
Growing  on  boulders,       ....        Dicranum  fulvum. 

10.     Greenish-white, Leucobryum. 

Dark  to  light  green,  not  white, 11. 


Mosses  with  a  hand-lens  vn 

ii.     Leaves  two- ranked ;  plants  appearing  flattened, 

Fissidens. 

Leaves  not  two  ranked,  arising  from  all  sides  of  the 
stem, 12. 

12.  Capsules  smooth  when  dry, 13- 

Capsules  furrowed  or  wrinkled  when  dry,       .        .  14. 

13.  Capsules  with  a  long  slender  neck,       .       .       Trematodon. 
Capsules  with  neck  short  or  wanting,       .... 

Bryum,  Dicranum,   Pogonatum  alpinum. 

14.  Capsules  subglobose  when  wet,   .   Philonotis  and  Bartramia. 
Capsules  elongated,  often  subcylindric,       .        .        .        .     15- 

15.  Growing  on  rotten  wood, Dicranum. 

Growing  on  earth  or  bases  of  trees 16. 

16.  Growing  in  swamps  or  very  wet  places,       .       Gymnocybe. 
Growing  in  barren  places,  roadsides,  paths,  etc. ,     . 

Ceratodon,  Funaria,  and  Ditrichum. 

Growing  in  woods  on  soil,  base  of  trees,  or  rocks, 

Dicranella. 

B 

1.  Growing  on  stones  in  running  water,       .... 

Rhynchostegium,    Fontinalis,   Hypnum,   Brachythecium. 
Not  growing  in  running  water, 2. 

2.  Leaves  apparently  two- ranked;  plants  appearing  flat- 

tened,          3- 

Leaves  not  two-ranked 4- 

3.  Growing  on  decayed  wood, 

.   Plagiothecium,  Raphidostegium,  Entodon. 

Growing  on   trees Neckera. 

Growing  on  stones  or  soil  in  moist  shady  places, 

Plagiothecium,  Fissidens. 

4.  Plants   regularly  once   or  twice  pinnate,    looking  like 

miniature  ferns, 

.    Thuidium,  Hypnum,  Hylocomium  proliferum. 

Plants  not  regularly  pinnate, 5- 

5.  Capsules  erect,  straight, 6. 

Capsules  cernuous,  curved, 11. 

6.  Growing  on  bark  of  trees 7- 

Growing  on  soil  or  decayed  wood 10. 

7.  Growing  only  near  the  base  of  trees, 8. 

Growing  at  various  heights  on  tree  trunks,  seldom  near 

the  base, 9- 

8.  Light  green;  branches   julaceous,     ....       Thelia. 
Dark  green;  branches  somewhat  flattened  or  at  least 

not  julaceous,       .       .       .       ....       Anomodon. 

9.  Small ;  seta  many  times  as  long  as  the  perichuetial  leaves, 

Pylaisiella. 

Larger ;  seta  not  more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  peri- 
chaetial  leaves, Leucodon. 


viii  MOSSES  WITH    A   hand-lens 

io.     Tree-like,  growing  on  the  ground  in  swamps,    .     Climacium. 
Prostrate  in  mats  on  soil  and  decayed  wood,     . 

.    Brachythecium  acuminatum,  Entodon. 
ii.     Operculum  with  a  very  long  beak,       .... 

Operculum   without   beak,      .     Cirriphyllum,  Eurhynchium. 
...        .        .       Hylocomium,  Hypnum,   Brachythecium. 

KEY  NO.  2 

Based  Mainly  on  Habitat 

Mosses  growing  on  the  bark  of  living  trees A. 

Mosses  growing  on  rotten  wood, B. 

Mosses  growing  on  stones  but  not  in  water,       .        .        .        .       C. 

Mosses  growing  on  stones  in  water, D. 

Mosses  growing  on  soil, E. 

Mosses  growing  on  decaying  animal  tissue  or  excreta,    . 

Splachnum. 

Mosses  growing  in  swamps  and  bogs,  greenish-white,     . 

■  ...        Peat   Mosses, 


Seta  many  times  longer  than  the  perichsetial  leaves,  .  3. 
Seta  shorter  than  the  penchsetial  leaves,  or  at  most  not 

more  than  twice  as  long 2. 

Acrocarpous;  capsules  wrinkled  or  puckered  about  the 

mouth Weissia. 

Pleurocarpous ;  capsules  smooth,       .       Leucodon,  Neckera. 

Blackish-green, Drummondia. 

Dark  to  light  green, 4- 

Capsules  cernuous  or  curved;  plants  pinnate,      .      Thuidium. 

Capsules  erect,  straight, 5- 

Dark  green,  growing  only  around  the  base  of  trees, 

Anomodon. 

Light  green,  usually  growing  near  the  base  of  trees,     . 

Thelia. 

Dark  to  yellotoish-green,  usually  growing  higher  up  on 

trees, Pylaisiella. 

B 

Capsules  erect,  cylindric  and  nearly  symmetric,  .  .  2. 
Capsules  curved,  horizontal  or  pendent,  .  .  .  •.  4- 
Pleurocarpous,  Brachythecium  acuminatum,  Entodon. 

Acrocarpous, 3- 

Peristome  of  four  large  teeth Georgia. 

Peristome  of  numerous  smaller  teeth 

Dicranum  flagellars 

Capsules  ovoid  to  subglobose,  horizontal  to  pendent, 

Mnium. 

Capsules  subcylindric,  arcuate, .5- 


MOSSES   WITH    A    HAND-LENS  1* 

5.     Acrocarpous, Dicranum. 

Pleurocarpous • 

Brachythecium,  Raphidostegium,  Hyloconuum,  Hyp- 

nura,  Plagiothecium. 

C 

1.  Blackish-green  to  brownish-green, 2. 

Green. 3- 

2.  Capsules  exserted, Weissia  Americana. 

Capsules  immersed, Hedwigia. 

3.  Flattened;  leaves  two-ranked,  ....  Fissidens. 
Leaves  spreading  in  all  directions 4- 

4.  Capsules  ovoid  to  oblong,  unsymmetric,  .  Brachythecium. 
Capsules  subcylindric,  not  furrowed  when  dry, 

1  )icranum. 

Capsules  subglobose,  deeply  furrowed  when  dry,     . 

Bartramia,  Philonotis. 

D 

1.  Long,  slender,  and  floating, Fontinalis. 

Short,  not  more  than  one  or  two  inches  in  length,       .       2. 

2.  Leaves  ovate;  operculum  long  beaked,  .  Rhynchostegium. 
Leaves  ovate;  operculum  conic,  .  .  Brachythecium. 
Leaves  orbicular,  operculum  conic,      .     Hypnum  dilatatum. 

E 

In  wet  shaded  places 

Catharinea,  Fissidens,  Gymnocybe,  Mnium,  Hypnum, 

Plagiothecium,  Climacium. 

In  moist  shaded  places 

Catharinea,    Hypnum,    Thuidium,    Hylocomium,    Eu- 
rhynchium,  Plagiothecium,  Brachythecium,    Webera, 

Pogonatum,  Leucobryum. 

In  dry  open  places  with  grass,       .        .  .... 

Polytrichum,  Cirriphyllum,  Pleuridium,  Thuidium. 
In  dry  waste  places,  old  paths,  old  ploughed  fields,  etc., 

Pogonatum,  Ditrichum,  Trematodon,  Ceratodon,    Fu- 

naria,  Physcomitrium,  Bryum. 

In  various  situations 

Dicranum,  Dicranella,   Leptobryum,  Thuidium,  Hylo- 
comium, Buxbaumia,  Leucobryum,  Bryum. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I  wish  to  acknowledge  my  great  obligation  to  Miss  Mary  V. 
Thayer  for  her  careful  and  artistic  work  in  the  preparation  of  the 
drawings.  By  an  oversight,  Miss  Thayer's  initials  were  omitted 
from  a  few  of  the  cuts.  She  made  all  the  drawings  to  illustrate 
the  text.  I  am  also  greatly  indebted  to  Mr.  Paul  R.  Jenks,  and 
to  Dr.  Marshall  A.  Howe  of  Columbia  University,  for  reading 
the  proof  and  for  assistance  in  determining  the  pronunciation  of 
the  scientific  names. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

Introduction, iv. 

Keys, vi. 

Acknowledgements, x. 

Text, i. 

Numbered  List 56. 

Errata 59. 

Glossary, 60. 

Index, 74- 


h 


m 


Mm 


Soon 


Explanation  of  Plate  I. — a.  Sphagnum  squarrbsum  Pers. 
Fig.  b,  5.  acutifblium  Ehrh.  Fig.  c,  S.  cymbifblium  (Ehrh.) 
Hedw.     d,  Capsules. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  I 

THE  PEAT  MOSSES 

THE  Peat  Mosses  (Plate  I.)  are  so  different  from  the  other 
mosses  that  many  authors  favor  putting  them  in  a  separate 
class.  Their  protonema  is  much  like  the  prothallium  of 
the  ferns,  and  the  stalk  on  which  the  capsule  is  borne  is  in  no  way 
homologous  with  the  seta  of  other  mosses.  The  structure  of  the 
leaves  is  also  very  different  from  that  of  the  other  mosses. 

Economically,  the  Peat  Mosses  are  of  more  value  than  any 
others.  In  many  portions  of  Ireland  and  Scotland  peat  is  almost 
the  only  fuel  supply  of  the  peasantry.  In  the  United  States  there 
is  an  abundant  supply  of  peat.  Dana  estimates  that  there  are 
15,000,000,000  cubic  feet  in  Massachusetts  alone.  Cheaper  and 
more  satisfactory  fuels  are  so  abundant  that  peat  is  little  used  in 
this  country. 

Peat  Mosses  grow  in  and  near  water  in  swamps.  They  keep 
growing  at  the  top  and  dying  below.  Sticks,  leaves  and  other 
vegetable  matter  is  washed  in  among  the  decaying  stems.  The 
whole  mass,  being  saturated  with  water,  decays  slowly,  leaving  a 
black  substance  whose  combustibility  depends  upon  the  purity  of 
the  carbon.  The  "  muck"  of  the  farmers  is  an  incomplete  or  an 
impure  peat. 

Peat  Mosses  grow  into  small  ponds  from  the  margin  and  fre- 
quently fill  them  entirely,  forming  quaking  bogs.  In  other  in- 
stances there  is  a  small  black  pool  in  the  center  of  the  bog,  all  that 
remains  of  a  much  larger  body  of  water  that  once  occupied  the 
whole  area  now  occupied  by  the  bog. 

These  bogs  are  very  treacherous,  and  men  and  animals  not 
infrequently  perish  through  being  engulfed  in  the  black  slimy 
mud.  There  is  some  antiseptic  property  in  this  mud  which  pre- 
serves animal  and  vegetable  tissue  for  a  long  time.  Huge  logs 
are  often  dug  out  of  these  swamps  in  a  condition  fit  for  excellent 
lumber.  In  Ireland  the  body  of  a  woman  dressed  in  haircloth  was 
unearthed  from  under  eleven  feet  of  peat,  where  it  must  have  lain 
for  centuries. 

Peat  Mosses  absorb  water  very  freely  and  serve  to  hold  back 
the  water  that  falls  during  heavy  storms,  preventing  floods,  and 
retaining  the  water  until  it  is  more  needed.  Because  of  this  ab- 
sorbent power  these  mosses  are  much  used  by  tlorists  for  pack- 
ing flowers. 

These  mosses  are  easily  recognized  by  their  light  gray-green 
color  (sometimes  pink  or  red  at  the  top)  and  their  peculiar  shape, 
which  is  well  illustrated  in  the  figures. 


norm*  library 

fl.  C.  State  College 


2  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

The  Peat  Mosses  of  Europe  and  America  are  the  same  in  the 
main.  There  are,  according  to  recent  continental  authors,  a  great 
number  of  species,  which  it  requires  all  the  trained  ability  of  an 
expert  to  recognize.  But  for  our  purposes  there  are  two  easily 
recognized  groups,  each  of  which  contains  many  so-called  species. 

The  Spoon-leaved  Peat  Mosses,  fig.  c,  c',  c",  are  easily  recog- 
nized by  their  thick  branches  and  their  broad  spoon-shaped  leaves. 
The  Acute-leaved  Peat  Mosses  are  figured  in  a,  a  and  b,  b.  Fig. 
b  represents  the  Acute-leaved  Peat  Moss,  which  is  common  in  all 
the  peat  bogs  of  Europe  and  America.  It  is  often  tinged  at  the 
top  with  a  bright  red  or  crimson  color.  The  Squarrose  Peat  Moss 
is  one  of  the  Acute-leaved  group,  but  is  easily  distinguished  by 
the  spreading  tips  of  the  leaves,  as  indicated  in  fig.  a,  a.  The 
branches  are  much  stouter  than  in  the  Acute-leaved  Peat  Moss 
proper. 


T 


BUXBAUMIA* 

HE  drawings  speak  for  themselves.  No  one  who  finds  the 
queer  looking  objects  figured  here  will  have  any  difficulty 
in  identifying  them. 

Buxbaumia  is  more 
highly  modified  than  al- 
most any  other  moss. 
Its  leaves  are  few  and 
are  clustered  at  the  base 
of  the  seta.  They  en- 
tirely disappear  before 
the  capsule  ripens,  so 
that  the  mature  plant 
consists  of  'only  the  seta 
with  a  few  rhizoids  at 
the  base  and  the  queer, 
bug-like  capsule.  Mrs. 
Britton  calls  the  Buxbau- 
mias  "The  Hump-backed 
Elves."  To  the  author 
they  look  like  bugs  on  a 
stick. 

The  capsules  are  in  the 
Fig.   i.    a,  a,  two  different  views  of  Bux-    ,  , ...  .    , 

bautnia  aphyllaX^hy  two  different  views   best     condition     late    in 
X4.  autumn  or  early  winter. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


WEBERAf 

MUCH  more  common  than   Buxbaumia  and  scarcely  less  in- 
teresting, is  the  odd  little  Webera  shown  in  figure  2.     The 
capsules  have  much  the  same  one-sided  tilt,  but  are  less 
irregular  in  outline  and  are  partially  incased  in  the  fringed  peri- 

ch;ctial  leaves.  The  capsule  is 
almost  sessile,  the  seta  being  so 
short  as  to  be  scarcely  apparent. 
The  leaves  are  persistent  and  the 
non-fruiting  plants  are  frequently 
so  abundant  as  to  make  a  broad 
mat  of  dark  green,  dotted  here 
and  there  with  the  lighter  colored 
capsules.  In  looking  for  Webera 
search  for  a  moist  bank  where 
there  is  little  or  no  tall  vegetation, 
and  which  at  a  little  distance  ap- 
pears dark  green  mottled  with 
white.  (The  white  is  a  lichen  that 
is  nearly  always  found  with  the 
Webera).  Webera  is  so  common 
and  so  easily  recognized  that  every  lover  of  mosses  should  be 
able  to  collect  it  in  his  home  locality.  The  capsules  persist  for  a 
long  time,  but  July  is  a  good  time  to  collect  this  species. 

t\Ve  have  but  one  species  of  Webera,    IV.  sdssilis  (Schmid.)   Lindb.— 
Diphyscium  folwsum  of  many  authors. 


Fig.  2.  a 
b,  Leaves 
leaves    X  4 


Webera  sessilis  X  4. 
X  4-  v,  Perichaetial 
d  and   e,  Peristome 


and  operculum  X  10. 


*The  species  fierured  is  Buxbaumia  aphylla  L.  The  only  other  Eastern 
species  is  /■>'.  mdusiata  Brid.  The  two  are  very  much  alike,  but  are  sepa- 
rated by  Mrs.  Britton,  thus  : 

On  earth;  capsule  red-brown,  shining B  aphylla. 

On  wood;  capsule  green  or  yellow,  dull       ....  B.inausiata 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


GEORGIA* 

THE  botanists  of  preceding  centuries  were  often  under  royal 
patronage  and  frequently  found  it  convenient  to  pay  their 
respects  to  kings  and  queens.     Thus  Georgia  is  named  for 
King  George   III.    of    England,    and   Catharinea   for    Empress 

Catharine  II.  of  Russia. 

Georgia  is  very  abundant  on  de- 
cayed stumps  in  moist  woods.  On 
the  western  end  of  Long  Island  where 
decayed  wood  is  scarce,  it  grows 
luxuriantly  on  the  banks  of  brooks  in 
swamps,  the  black  peaty  soil  being 
as  rich  in  organic  matter  as  decaying 
wood. 

The  Flagellate  Dicranum  {Plate 4,c\ 
which  in  New  England  grows  almost 
exclusively  on  decayed  wood,  on  Long 
Island  has  a  habitat  similar  to  that  of 
Georgia.  This  goes  to  prove  that  some 
mosses  growing  on  decayed  wood  are 
true  saprophytes,  although  their  sap- 
rophytism  has  not  gone  so  far  as  to 
enable  the  plants  to  dispense  with  chlorophyll. 

Georgia  has  two  characteristics  that  will  serve  to  make  its 
identification  easy.  Its  peristome  consists  of  four  long  teeth 
that  are  readily  distinguishable  under  the  lens.  It  is  the  only 
moss  with  this  number  of  teeth  in  the  peristome  (except  a  very 
rare  species  known  from  only  four  localities  in  the  United  States, 
and  so  small  as  to  be  difficult  of  observation).  The  other  char- 
acter is  the  possession  of  slender  branches  bearing  cup-like 
clusters  of  leaves.  In  this  cluster  of  leaves  are  minute  green 
bodies,  gemmse,  which  fall  off  and  give  rise  to  new  plants  in  the 
same  way  that  the  bulblets  of  Cystopteris  give  rise  to  that  fern. 
Georgia  fruits  very  abundantly  and  the  capsules  persist  for  a 
year  or  two,  so  that  there  is  no  difficulty  in  finding  or  identifying 
it.     The  capsules  are  in  the  best  condition  late  in  autumn. 

*  Georgia  pellucida  (L.)  Rabenh.     Tetr aphis  pellucida  of  many  authors, 


Fig.  3.  a,  Georgia  pellucida 
X  12.  b.  Gemmiferous  branch 
X  2.  Capsule  x  10.  c,  Peri- 
stome X  20. 


Explanation  of  Plate  II.— a.  Fruiting  Polytrichum  com- 
mune x  i,  dry.  b,  The  same  moist  with  the  calyptra  removed, 
c,  Leaf  of  the  same  X  10.  d,  Capsule  of  the  same  x  5-  e,  Capsule 
of  P.  Ohioense  X  5-  f.  Male  plant  of  P.  commune  x  i.  g  and 
h,  P.ptizferum,  dry  and  wet,  x  i.  o,  Leaf  of  P.  juniper  inum 
X  io.   6,  Portion  of  the  same  X  30.    p,  Leaf  of  P.piliferum  X  10. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  5 

THE  HAIR-CAP  MOSSES 

THE  Hair-Cap  Mosses,  called  Bird  Wheat  in  many  localities, 
are  the  largest  and  most  highly  developed  of  all  our  mosses, 
and  by  reason  of  their  size  and  common  occurrence  are 
familiar  objects  to  nearly  every  one.  Many  an  old  field  and 
meadow  is  carpeted  with  the  dark  rich  green  of  the  Common 
Hair-cap.  The  farmer,  however,  votes  it  a  pest,  as  it  often 
entirely  supplants  the  grass  over  large  areas  of  meadow. 

The  hairy  cap  that  gives  this  genus  of  mosses  its  name  is 
composed  of  long  hairs  growing  from  a  little  scale-like  body,  the 
calyptra  proper,  at  the  top  of  the  capsule. 

The  Hair-caps,  in  common  with  most  other  mosses,  are  sub. 
ject  to  great  extremes  of  moisture  and  dryness,  and  their  appear- 
ance when  dry  is  very  different  from  what  it  is  when  moist,  as 
the  leaves  fold  up  against  the  stem  to  check  the  rapidity  of  evap- 
oration. Some  plants  that  do  not  produce  a  sporophyte  end  in  a 
rosette  of  highly  modified  leaves.  These  are  the  male  plants,  and 
among  the  leaves  of  the  rosette  are  numerous  anthendia.  The 
male  plants  of  many  other  dioicous  mosses  end  in  a  similar  rosette. 

There  are  four  common  species  of  the  Hair-caps,  all  having 
square  capsules.  The  Pogonatums  are  put  with  the  Hair-caps  by 
some  authors,  but  are  readily  distinguished  by  the  cylindric  cap- 
sules. In  other  respects  there  is  very  little  to  distinguish  the  two 
genera. 

The  Common  Hair-cap  is  our  largest  moss,  sometimes  having 
stems  a  foot  long,  although  usually  much  smaller.  It  is  one  of 
of  the  most  widely  distributed  of  plants,  being  found  in  all  parts 
of  North  America,  in  Europe  and  in  Asia.  It  is  also  one  of  the 
very  few  mosses  put  to  some  economic  use.  The  Laplanders  use 
it  to  stuff  pillows  and  beds.  In  England  it  is  sometimes  used  for 
brooms. 

The  leaves  of  the  Common  Hair-cap  are  very  thick  and  strong, 
with  a  thinner  clasping  base  and  serrate  margins.  The  capsules 
mature  in  June  or  early  July. 

The  Ohio  Hair-cap  without  the  sporophyte  (seta  and  capsule, 
commonly  called  fruit)  is  not  readily  distinguished  from  the  Com- 
mon, as  the  leaves  and  general  appearance  are  very  similar.  Hut 
with  the  sporophyte  present,  the  distinctions  are  clear.  In  figs,  band 
d,  note  that  the  capsule  of  the  Common  Hair-cap  is  almost  cubical, 
that  the  lid  has  a  very  short  beak,  and  that  the  capsule  is  entirely 
covered  by  the  calyptra.     The  capsule  of  the  <  >hio  I  lair-cap  (e)  is 


6  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

elongated,  slender  with  a  tapering  neck,  and  with  a  much  longer 
beak  to  the  lid.  The  lid  and  the  calyptra  of  the  Ohio  Hair -cap 
fall  early  in  June,  very  soon  after  the  spores  are  ripe,  and  it  is  not 
always  easy  to  find  either  in  position,  but  if  the  calyptra  be  found, 
it  will  be  seen  to  cover  the  upper  portion  of  the  capsule  only.  The 
Common  Hair-cap,  although  occurring  in  woods,  is  most  common 
in  open  fields;  the  Ohio  Hair-cap  being  most  frequent  in  shady, 
more  moist  spots,  often  in  deep  woods.  The  remaining  two  spe- 
cies are  easily  distinguished  from  the  two  mentioned  above  by  the 
margins  of  the  leaves,  which  are  thin  and  membranaceous,  and 
are  folded  in  over  the  central  portion  of  the  leaf,  as  illustrated  in 
o,  6,  and  p. 

The  Juniper  Hair-cap  resembles  the  Common  very  closely  in 
general  appearance  and  is  commonly  confused  with  it,  as  it  grows 
in  similar  but  usually  drier  situations.  It  is,  however,  lighter  in 
color,  and  a  glance  at  the  upper  surface  of  the  leaves  under  a  lens 
will  serve  to  distinguish  it  without  the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  Its 
capsules  mature  about  the  same  time  as  those  of  the  Common 
Hair-cap,  or  slightly  earlier. 

The  Awned  Hair-cap  also  has  its  leaves  turned  in  at  the 
margin,  but  they  differ  in  shape,  as  shown  in  the  figure,  and  end 
in  long  white  awns.  The  entire  plant  is  much  smaller  than  any 
of  the  other  species,  and  grows  in  much  drier  places,  the  edges  of 
soil  around  ledges  in  rocky  pastures  being  a  favorite  habitat.  It 
matures  its  capsules  in  June  and  July.  I  have  found  the  Awned 
Hair-cap  on  ledges  next  the  bare  rock,  the  Juniper  Hair-cap  a 
little  farther  down  but  bordering  on  the  Awned,  and  the  Common 
Hair-cap  growing  in  moist  depressions  in  the  ledge  partially  filled 
with  soil. 


Those  who  climb  mountains  will  be  sure  to  find  a  fifth  species, 
the  Erect  Hair-cap,  which  is  very  common  in  boggy  places  at  an 
elevation  of  3,000  feet  or  more.  It  is  closely  related  to  the 
Juniper  Hair-cap,  but  can  readily  be  distinguished  by  the  more 
slender,  densely  radiculose  stems  and  the  much  smaller  capsules. 


Leaf  margins  serrate,  not  infolded, 2. 

Leaf  margins  entire,  thin  and  infolded,       .....'..     3. 
2.     Capsules  cubical,  beak  short,  Common  Hair-cap, 

{Polytr k hum  commune  L.). 

Capsule  much  longer  than  broad,   beak  long,  neck  taper- 
ing,       Ohio  Hair-cap  {P.  O/iioe'nse'R..  &  C.) 


Explanation  of  Plate  III. — a,  Pogonatum  tenue  X 
Leaf  x  15.  a",  Capsule  X  10.  b,  P.  urnigerum  X  2.  b 
X  10.     c,  P.  alpinum  x  2.     c',  Leaf   X  10.     c",  Capsule  X 


2.  a . 
,  Leaf 
10 


.    II  II     A     II  AND-:   I  7 

Plants   of  dry    situations,    small.   Leaves   with   long  white 
awns,    ....      Awned  Hair-cap  (/>.  pilifrrum  Schrel>.) 

Plants  larger,  leaves  without  white  awns, 4. 

Plants  of  lowlands  without  felted  radicles 

Juniper    Hair-tap,    (/'.   ju>iip<(rinitm  Willd.). 

Plants  of  alpine  or  suhalpine  regions;  steins  covered  with 
a  dense  felt  of  radicles,  Erect  Hair-cap  (/'.  StrU  (urn  Banks). 


THE  POGONATUMS 


THE  Pogonatums  differ  from  the  Hair-caps  mainly  in  the 
cylindrical  capsules,  not  square  or  angular  in  section. 
The  Slender  Pogonatum  is  probably  the  most  common 
of  our  species.  It  grows  on  bare  moist  banks  of  clay  or  loam 
where  other  plants  have  not  yet  obtained  a  foothold.  The  plants 
do  not  grow  close  together  as  with  most  mosses,  but  singly  and 
scattered,  the  soil  between  them  being  covered  with  green  felt- 
like protonema.  All  mosses  grow  from  just  such  green  felt;  the 
spore  germinates  and  grows  into  the  protonema  and  a  branch 
of  the  protonema  develops  into  the  moss  plant.  After  the 
moss  plant  proper  has  developed,  the  protonema  usually  dis- 
appears. In  the  Slender  Pogonatum,  however,  the  protonema 
is  persistent  and  plays  an  active  part  in  the  nutrition  of  the 
plant,  seeming  to  perform  the  function  of  leaves,  for  the  leaves 
on  this  plant  are  very  few  and  short  as  compared  with  the 
allied  species.  This  is  well  illustrated  by  the  figures,  the 
shaded  upper  portion  of  the  leaf  being  the  only  part  that  con- 
tains chlorophyll  and  therefore  the  only  portion  that  performs 
the  functions  of  a  leaf.  These  marked  and  interesting  modifica- 
tions may  be  due  to  the  fact  that  this  moss  grows  <>n  freshly  dis- 
turbed earth  and  by  this  method  is  enabled  to  fruit  befoi 
competitors  for  the  space  are  able  to  develop.  The  capsules 
mature  in  late  autumn. 

In    woods   and    shady    places,    especially  in    elevated  regions, 

the  Alpine   Pogonatum  is  common.     It  is  a-  ognized  by 

its  larger  size  and  longer  curved  capsule  with  long  beaked  oper- 
culum. The  leaves,  also,  are  much  longer  and  more  slender. 
Without  the  sporophyte  the  Alpine  Pogonatum  is  most  likely  to 

be  mistaken  for  some  of  the  Hair  caps.  Its  capsules  mature  in 
June  or  early  July. 

The  Urn-like  Pogonatum  grows  in  woods  and  shady  pi 

ins.      It    is  not    uncommon  and   in   some 
localities  may   be  even  more  common  than    either    of    the    B] 


8  MOSSES   WITH   A    HAND-LENS 

mentioned  above.  I,  however,  have  met  with  it  much  less  fre- 
quently. It  is  at  once  distinguished  from  the  Alpine  Pogonatum 
by  its  straight  erect  capsule,  which  is  scarcely  to  be  distinguished 
from  that  of  the  Slender  Pogonatum.  It  is  usually  smaller  than 
the  Alpine  Pogonatum  and  much  larger  than  the  Slender  Pogo- 
natum, but  is  so  variable  that  this  is  not  to  be  depended  upon. 
Its  leaves,  however,  will  serve  to  distinguish  it  readily  from  the 
Slender  Pogonatum  when  its  size  is  deceptive.  The  capsules 
mature  in  autumn. 


Those  who  climb  mountains  will  find  on  all  alpine  heights  a 
fourth  species,  the  Hair-like  Pogonatum.  It  has  broad  leaves 
like  those  of  the  Urn-like  Pogonatum,  but  they  are  much  more 
strongly  curved  when  dry.  It  is  also  much  smaller,  with  simple 
unbranched  stems  and  shorter  capsules. 


Capsule  curved,  long-beaked,  Alpine  Pogonatum, 

.      .      .      ....      [Pogonatum   alp\num   (L.)  Roehl.] 

Capsule  erect,  straight,  short-beaked, 2. 

Plants  small,  unbranched 3. 

Plants  larger,  branched  and  variously  divided, 

.     Urn  like  Pogonatum  [P.  urnigerum  (L.)  Beauv.] 
Alpine,  growing  close  together;  leaves  numerous, 

.     Hair- like  Pogonatum   [P.  capillare  (Mx.)  Brid.] 
Plants  of  lowlands,  growing  scattered ;  leaves  few,       .      . 
.     Slender  Pogonatum  [P.  tenue  (Menzies)  E.  G.  Britton.] 


THE  CATHARINEAS 


THE  Catharineas  are  very  closely  related  to  the  Hair-caps,  but 
have  the  calyptra  nearly  bald.  It  is  merely  roughened 
with  a  few  vestigial  hairs. 
The  Wavy  Catharinea  is  one  of  the  very  common  mosses, 
occurring  everywhere  in  eastern  North  America.  It  grows  best 
on  moist  shady  banks  of  brooks.  It  can  be  easily  recognized  by 
its  long,  slender,  slightly  curved  capsules  and  leaves  strongly 
crisped  when  dry. 

The  Narrow-leaved  Catharinea  resembles  the  Wavy  Cath- 
arinea very  closely,  but  grows  in  dryer,  more  sandy  soil,  and  is 
usually  much  smaller  with  narrower  straighter  capsules,  as  shown 
in  the  cut.  The  only  sure  way  to  distinguish  them  is  to  mount 
the  leaves  in  water  and  study  with  the  lens.     The  differences  are 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LKNS 


Fig-.  4.     a,  a,  a,  Catharinea  undulata,  wet  and  dry,  Xa,  and  Capsule    •   5. 
b,  Leaf  ;■;  10.    c,  c,  Capsule  and  leaf  of  C.  angustata       s  and  10,  respectively. 

shown  in  the  cut.  Although  the  leaf  of  the  Narrow-leaved  Cath- 
arinea is  narrower,  the  midrib  is  much  broader,  constituting 
one-third  to  one-quarter  the  breadth  of  the  leaf. 

The  sporophyte  of  the  Catharineas  is  in  good  condition  from 
late  autumn  to  early  spring. 


In  swampy  places  by  brooks  along  the  south  shore  of  Long 
Island,  and  probably  along  the  coast  of  New  Jersey,  Connecticut. 
and  Rhode  Island,  the  Crisped  Catharinea  is  not  infrequent.  Its 
leaves  are  twice  as  broad  in  proportion  to  their  Length  as  those  of 
the  Wavy  Catharinea,  and  are  not  at  all  wavy  when  moist.  The 
capsule  is  very  much  shorter  than   in  either  of  the  other  species 


MOSSES   WITH   A    HAND-LENS 
KEY. 

Capsule  4:1;  leaves  not  at  all  wavy  on  the  margins  when 

moist,  Crisped  Catharinea, 

{Catharinea  cr v 'spa  James). 

Capsule  6-8  :  1 ;   leaf  margins  wavy  when  moist,     ...     2. 

Midrib  constituting  A  -  TV  of  leaf,  Wavy  Catharinea.  .  . 
.      [C  unduldta  (L.)  Web.  &  Mohr.] 

Midrib  constituting  J,  - }  of  leaf,  Narrow-leaved  Catha- 
rinea,         (C  angustata  Brid. ) . 


T 


FISSIDENS 

HE  genus  Fissidens  is  most  distinct  and  easily  recognized, 
but  to  recognize  the  species  with  certainty  requires  a  com- 
pound microscope  and  considerable  experience  in  the  study 

of  the  genus. 

The  leaves  of  Fis- 
sidens are  in  two 
ranks  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  stem, 
and  as  both  ranks 
lie  in  the  same  plane, 
it  gives  the  plants  a 
peculiar  appearance 
not  possessed  by  any 
other  moss  and  re- 
minding one  strong- 
ly of  the  Hepatics. 
The  leaves  of  Fissi- 
dens have  a  very 
peculiar  structure, 
the  exact  meaning 
of  which  is  still  a 
puzzle.  If  a  small 
plant  be  mounted  in 
water  between  two 
glass  slips  and  ex- 
amined with  the 
lens,  the  basal  por- 
tion of  the  upper 
margin  will  be  seen 
Fig..;.    1. Fruiting Fissiden s cristatu s (WilsO      to    be    considerably 

2.  Capsule  with  calyptra  removed.   3.  Leaf  and 

portion  of  stem  to  which  it  is  attached.     4.      darker  than  the  rest 

Leaves,  showing  how  they  overlap  each  other  ,       ,         .       ,.  . 

and  sheath  the  stem.  ot      tne     ieai»     as     1S 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  n 

shown  in  Figs,  i,  and  3,  a.  This  darker  portion  of  the  leaf  is 
double,  being  composed  of  two  entirely  separate  layers.  A 
cross  section  through  this  portion  of  the  leaf  would  have  the 
shape  of  a  simple  y,  the  two  arms  of  the  y  being  the  section 
through  this  double  portion. 

A  few  rare  species  of  Fissidens  grow  in  water,  but  most 
grow  on  moist  soil  or  rocks.  Several  species  are  so  common  that 
they  can  be  found  in  any  locality. 


A 


THE  WHITE  MOSS 

NY  ONE  accustomed  to  walk  in  the  woods  must  have  noticed 

the  grayish-white  tufts  of  the    White   Moss,  looking  like 

gigantic  pincushions. 

p~y  This   moss  does   not   fruit    freely,    but   by 

searching  in  moist  woods  the  sporophyte  can 

usually    be    found    without    a   great   deal    of 

trouble.       It     matures     from     September    to 

June. 

The  White  Moss  prefers  moist  or  even 
swampy  woods,  but  is  often  found  in  drier 
situations.  The  plants  grow  densely  packed 
together,  those  in  the  center  continually  elon- 
gating and  new  plants  being  added  around  the 
edges  of  the  tuft.  The  White  Moss  resembles 
the  Peat  Mosses  in  color,  and  the  cushion-like 
tufts   take  up   and   retain  water   in  the  same 

FIG.  6.    Lcucobryum 

glaucum      i.         sponge-like  way. 


The  common   species  of    the   White   Moss   is    Leucobryum 
glaiicum  (L.)  Sch.   (L.  vulgare  Hampe). 


THE  DICRANUMS 

THE  Dicranums  of  our  region  are  one  of  the   most   common 
and  beautiful   elements  in   woodland  scenery.     They  are. 
for  the  most  part,  bright  yellow-green   and   grow  in  wide 
thick    tufts   or    mats.      The   leaves  are    frequently    more    or    less 
secund,  as  though  the  wind  had   blown  them  all  in  one  direction. 
Most  Dicranums  mature  their  spores   in    autumn,   but    more 
observations  are  needed  to  give  dates  for  each  species. 


12 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Fig.  7.  a,  Dicranum  scoparium  X  1.  a, 
Capsule  X  s-  b,  -#•  fuscescens  X  1.  b'.  Cap- 
sule and  calyptra  x  5. 


There  are  eighteen  or 
twenty  species  of  Dicra- 
num within  our  range, 
but  of  these  only  six  are 
common  or  easy  enough 
of  recognition  to  warrant 
treatment  here.  These 
six  are  best  treated  in 
three  groups.  The  first 
group  contains  two  spe- 
cies with  single  curved 
capsules,  the  Broom 
Moss  ( Die  ran  urn  sco- 
parium (L.)  Hedw.)  and 
the  Fuscous  Dicranum 
(D.fuscescens  Turn.) 

The  second  group  con- 
tains two  species  with 
clustered  curved  cap- 
sules, the  Wavy  Dicranum  (D.  undulatum  Ehrh.)  and  Drum- 
mond's  Dicranum  {D.  Drummdndii C.  Muell.) 

The  third  group,  two  species  with  single  erect  straight  cap- 
sules, the  Flagellate  Dicranum  (D.  flagellar e  Hedw.),  and  the 
Fulvous  Dicranum  (D.  fulvum  Hook.)  The  capsules  of  the 
former  are  often  as  erect  and  straight  as  those  of  the  latter, 
although  not  so  represented  in  the  plate. 

The  distinctions  between  the  Broom  Moss  and  the  Fuscous 
Dicranum  are  well  brought  out  in  the  figures.  The  Broom  Moss 
grows  on  decayed  wood,  but  more  frequently  on  soil,  stones,  and 
roots  of  trees.  The  plants  are  larger,  with  leaves  secund  but  not 
crisped  when  dry ;  capsules  longer,  more  slender  and  not  furrowed 
when  dry.  The  Fuscous  Dicranum  grows  on  rotten  wood ;  the 
plants  are  smaller  and  finer,  with  leaves  crisped  when  dry ;  the 
capsules  shorter  and  furrowed  when  dry.  The  Broom  Moss  gets 
its  name  from  its  resemblance  in  miniature  to  a  hair  broom  or 
counter  brush.  It  is  often  used  by  florists  to  form  banks  of  green 
in  show  windows.  It  is  much  more  common  than  the  Fuscous 
Dicranum  and  is  found  everywhere  throughout  our  range. 

The  Wavy  Dicranum  is  the  largest  and  most  beautiful  of  our 
species,  and  while  common,  does  not  fruit  freely  in  most  locali- 
ties. It  grows  on  the  ground  and  rocks  in  woods;  its  leaves  are 
secund  but  have  a  beautiful  silky  gloss,  due  in  part  to  their  being 


Explanation  of  Plate  IV.—  a,  Dicranum  undu latum  x  e. 
a',  Leaf  x  8.  b,  D.  Drummondii  xi.  b',  Leaf  x  S.  c,  D.Jiagel- 
lare  X2.  c',  Leaf  x  10.  d,  Flagella  X  ro.  e,  D.  fulvum  X  2. 
e',  Leaf  and  capsule  x  10. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND- LENS  1 3 

very  strongly  wavy.  Drummond's  Dicranum  grows  on  rotten 
wood ;  its  leaves  are  somewhat  secund  and  are  very  strongly 
crisped  when  dry,  also  very  slightly  wavy;  they  are  much  more 
slender  pointed  than  in  the  Wavy  Dicranum.  The  capsules  of 
the  two  species  are  very  much  alike. 

The  Flagellate  and  Fulvous  Dicranums  need  never  be  con- 
fused, for  the  former  grows  on  rotten  wood  or  peaty  banks,  while 
the  latter  always  grows  on  rocks.  The  Flagellate  Dicranum  has 
slender  branchlets  (flagella),  with  minute  leaves,  which  give  it 
its  name.  The  Fulvous  Dicranum  lacks  these  flagella  and  is 
usually  somewhat  brownish-fulvous  in  color.  Its  leaves  are  much 
longer,  with  a  very  broad  thick  midrib.  The  differences  in  the 
leaves  are  best  seen  by  mounting  them  as  for  the  compound 
microscope. 


DICRANELLA 

THE  Common  Dicranella  [D.  heteromdlla  (L.)  Schimp.  J  looks 
like  a  little  Dicranum,  as  its  name  would  imply.     It  is  fre- 
quent on  moist  shady  banks  in  regions  somewhat  removed 
from  the  coast.     Near  the  coast,  particularly  in  the  southern  por- 
tion of  our  range, 
•c-^f^  the    variety    with 

straight  capsules 
(var.  ort/iocarpa 
Hedw. )  is  common 
i  n  rathe  r  dry 
sandy  soil.  The 
species  is  rather 
taller  with  the 
capsules  some- 
what longer  and 
more  oblique,  and 
slightly  furrowed 
when  dry.  Both 
forms  mature 
the  capsules  in 
autumn. 


Fig.  8.    Dicranella  keteromalla   orthocarpa 


b,  Capsule  of  the  same 
D.  keteromalla. 


X  10.     c,   Dry   capsules  of 


14 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


CERATODON 

CERATODON  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  all   our  mosses. 
It  is  found  on  the  edges  of  paths,  roofs  of  old  buildings, 
sand  by  the  sea  shore,  and  in  general  any  barren  compact 
soil  is  its  favorite  habitat.     The  plants  are  short  and  grow  close 

together,  forming  dense 
thin  mats  of  dark  green. 
The  lance-like  young 
sporophytes  appear 
early  in  spring  as  soon 
as  the  snow  is  melted. 
By  the  middle  of  the 
summer  the  capsules 
often  decay  beyond 
recognition  and  the 
seta  breaks  from  the 
plant  at  the  touch. 

Unless  one  has  be- 
come  very  familiar 
with  Ceratodon  it  is 
not  always  easy  to 
recognize  it  without 
mature  capsules.  When 
the  capsules  have  fully 
matured  they  shrink 
when  dry  and  become  furrowed.  This  peculiar  furrowing  and  the 
dark  rich  color  of  the  capsules,  a  color  called  purple  by  the  older 
botanists  but  which  is  really  a  very  dark  chestnut  or  red-brown, 
make  it  easy  to  recognize  this  species  [Ceratodon  purpkreus  (L  ) 
Brid.] 

Gymnocybe  has  a  capsule  furrowed  in  a  similar  manner,  but 
it  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  characters  noted  under  the  de- 
scription of  that  genus. 


Fig.  q.  Ceratodon  purpurens   X  2. 
calyptra,  and  capsule  X  10. 


Leaves, 


u  1  I  ll    A    HAND-]  i    • 


THE  DITRICHUMS* 

THE  Dark  Ditrichum  \D.  vdginans  (Sulliv  )  Hampe]  has  a 
habitat  very  similar  to  that  of  CeratodoD  and   at  hist  sight 
might  be   confused   with   it.     The   capsules  are   much   the 
same  color  and  somewhat   furrowed,  hut   it    is   smaller  with  more 


Fig.  10    a,  b,  and  c,  Ditrichum  pallid um,  : ■axinans  and  tortile, 
repectively,  X  a.     d,  Capsule  of  D.  pallidum       2>>.     e,  Capsuli 
D.  vaginans  X  10.     f,  Capsule  of  /).  tort  He 

erect  symmetric  capsules  that  have  much  less  conspicuous  furrows 
when  dry.  It  matures  its  spores  late  in  autumn,  which  of  itself 
will  be  sufficient  readily  to  distinguish  it  from  Ceratodon.  It  is 
not  frequent  in  the  more  nothern  portion  of  our  range 

The  Brown  Ditrichum  |  D.  tdrtile  (Schrad  )  Hampe]    is  fre- 
quent throughout  in  moist  sandy  or  gravelly  soil  by  roadside 
in  old  fields.      It  is  closely  related   to  the   Dark  Ditrichum.  but  is 
smaller,  with  light  brown  capsules  which  mature  at  about  the 
same  time  and  are  smooth  when  dry. 

The  Yellow  Ditrichum  \D.  pallidum  (Schreb.)  Hampe]  is 
more  abundant  southwards  ami  in  the  lowlands,  and  is  much 
larger  than  the  other  two  species.  It  is  easily  recognized  by  its 
bright  yellow  seta  and  unsymnictric  capsules,  which  mature  in 
winter.     It  is  most  frequent  in  dry  sandy  soil. 

*  Ditrichum  Timm.    Leptotrickum  Hampe. 


16 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  LONG-NECKED  MOSS 

THE  Long-necked  Moss  is  so  odd  in  appearance  that  it  will 
need  little  description.     It  is  not  common  but  will  be  met 
with  occasionally  in  rather  dry  soil  in  copses  and  old  fields 
where  the  grass  is  thin.     Besides  the  long  neck,  the  bright  yellow 
setee.  closely  resembling  those  of  the  Yellow  Ditrichum,  are  an 
rj  ^         ^-r—  additional  aid  in  identification.    The  cap- 

sules mature  in  summer. 


Fig.  ii.   Trematodon  a?n- 
biguus    x  i,   and    capsule 

xs- 


Besides  the  Long-necked  Moss  de- 
scribed above  [Trematodon  ambfguus 
(Hedw.)  Hornsch.]  there  is  another 
species  ( T.  longicollis)  that  may  be 
found  in  the  southern  portion  of  our 
range. 


D 


PLEURIDIUM 

The  Common  Pleuridium  [P.  subulatum   (L.)  Rabenh.] 

OWN  among  the  tufts  of 
grass  in  dry  and  sandy 
fields  in  early  spring,  one 
can  find  soft  silky  tufts  of  green 
containing  innumerable  little 
green  spheres  like  emerald  dew 
drops.  These  green  spheres  are 
the  capsules  nestling  among  the 
leaves  because  of  the  shortness  of 
the  setae. 

The  drawing  can  give  no  idea 
of  the  beauty  of  a  dense  tuft  sev- 
eral inches  square,  fresh  from  the 
fields,  wet  with  the  spring  snows 
and  rains. 

This  moss  is  common  in  sandy 
localities  near  the  coast,  but  much 
uYf  less  frequent  inland. 

There  is  another  similar  species 
that  may  be  met  with,  but  which 

Fig.   „.    Pleuridium  subulatum  one  wiU  need  a  compound  micro- 
X  10,  and  leaf  x  20.  scope  to  distinguish, 


MOSSES    \\  II  II    A    HAND-]  ENS 


THE  GRIMMIA  FAMILY 


i; 


THE  Grimmias  and  their  allies  constitute  a  large  family  of 
mosses  characterized  by  their  very  dark  color,  setae 
so  short  that  the  capsule  is  often  not  exserted,  and  by 
other  characters  that  are  microscopic.  They  are  blackish,  or 
brownish  green,  sometimes  hoary  by  reason  of  the  colorless  leaf 
apices.  They  grow  almost  exclusively  on  stones  and  bark  of 
living  trees.  Some  are  aquatic,  growing  on  stones  in  swift  brooks, 
but  most  grow  in  dry  situations,  during  a  dry  period  becoming  so 
dry  and  brittle  as  to  crumble  in  the  fingers,  but  taking  advantage 
of  every  rain  to  start  up  their  growth  with  renewed  energy. 

Some  of  the  most  common  and  conspicuous  members  of  this 
family  are  Hedwigia,  Drummondia,  Weissia,  Grimmia,  and 
Orthotrichum.     The  last  two  are  too  difficult  to  treat  here. 


DRUMMONDIA 


Fig.  15.      Drummondia   prorefens. 

a  x'i.     b  x  10.    c,  Calyptra    •  10.    d, 
Empty  capsule  ;•;  10. 


DRUMMONDIA  is  a  com- 
mon moss  of  the  Grim- 
mia  family.  It  always 
grows  on  the  bark  of  trees,  but 
is  easily  distinguished  from  its 
tree-growing  allies  by  three 
characters:  Its  steins  arc  long 
and  closely  applied  to  the  bark 
of  the  tree,  sending  out  short 
horizontal  branchlets  so  thickly 
that  the  stems  below  become 
apparent  only  when  the  plant 
is  removed.  The  capsule  is  on 
a  long  seta,  and  the  calyptra  is 
cucullate. 


Drummondia    is   named   for 

Drummond,  one  of  the  earliest 
collectors  of  American  mosses. 
Our  only  species  is  A  pror}- 
pens  (Hedw.)  E.  G.  Britton. 
{/>.  clave  I  lata  Hook). 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


HEDWIGIA 

is  named  for  Hedwig,  one  of  the  best  bryologists  of  the  eighteenth 
century. 


S:V¥i 


i 


mirm  If 


J 


-5\, 


¥ 


Mkr 


Fig.  14.  Hedivigia  albicans,  a,  x  1,  wet  and  dry.  b,  Capsule  with  a 
portion  of  the  perichaetial  leaves  removed  X  10.  c,  Branches,  dry  and  wet, 
X  5.     d,  Leaves  X  10. 

It  is  common  on  boulders,  ledges,  stone  walls,  and  dry 
exposed  places.  The  plants  vary  a  great  deal  in  size,  but  in  gen- 
eral have  much  longer  stems  and  branches  than  their  relatives, 
besides  being  much  the  most  common  of  all  the  family. 

The  lower  part  of  the  plant  is  brown  or  black,  the  upper 
green,  with  a  tinge  of  gray  due  to  the  colorless  tips  of  the 
leaves.  The  capsules  are  entirely  concealed  in  the  longer 
more  slender  perichaetial  leaves,  and  the  only  indication  of  their 
presence  is  a  slight  enlargement  of   the  ends  of   some   of    the 


MOSSES    Willi    A    HAND-LENS  19 

branches.     The  capsules  are  almost  spherical,    with  a  clear-cut 
lid  and  no  peristome;  they  mature  in  spring. 

An  attempt  has  been  made  to  illustrate  the  remarkable  trans- 
formation that  these  plants  undergo  when  moistened,  but  no 
drawing  can  do  justice  to  the  magic  of  the  change. 


Our  only  species  is  H.  dlbicans  (Web.)   Lindb.    {H.  ciliata 
Ehrh.) 


WEISSIA 

THE  Weissias  have  the  characteristic  brownish-green  or  black- 
ish-green color  of  the  Grimmia  family.  They  are  distin- 
guished from  all  save  Orthotrichum  by  the  hairy  calyptra. 

Both  Orthotrichum  and  Weissia  grow  on  the  bark  of  trees  or 
more  rarely  on  rocks,  in  cushions  of  varying  size  and  thickness. 
The  Weissias  growing  on  trees  usually  grow  in  more  rounded  tufts 
with  the  leaves  more  crisped  when  dry  than  is  usual  with  Orthot- 
richum growing  in  similar  situations.  The  books  all  say  that  the 
hairs  on  the  calyptra  of  Weissia  are  flexuous,  and  those  on  Orthot- 
richum straight,  but  this  distinction  appears  to  be  rather  too  line 
for  the  amateur  to  profit  by  it.  The  capsules  in  both  genera  are 
erect  and  symmetric  and  quite  regularly  striate  when  dry  with 
eight  or  sixteen  ridges  and  as  many  alternating  furrows.  These 
ridges  consist  of  cells  larger,  darker,  and  thicker- walled  than  the 
alternating  tissue.  The  seta  in  Orthotrichum  is  so  short  that  the 
capsule  is  nearly  always  partially  immersed;  in  Weissia  the  seta 
is  long  enough  to  exsert  the  capsule  entirely  beyond  the  perichse- 
tial  leaves. 

Orthotrichum  is  a  very  large  and  difficult  genus,  and  cannot 
be  successfully  treated  in  a  book  of  this  kind.  Weissia  is  a  small 
genus  whose  species  are  easily  recognizable  without  any  lens 
whatever. 

The  Puckered  Weissia  has  pear-shaped  capsules,  abruptly 
narrowed  to  the  very  small  mouth ;  the  ridges  and  furrows  extend 
only  a  short  distance  around  the  mouth  of  the  capsule,  giving  it 
the  peculiar  and  characteristic  appearance  shown  in  the  cut. 

The  capsules  of  the  Crisped  Weissia  have  a  much  larger  mouth 
and  are  striate  for  the  entire  length.  The  seta  is  shorter,  the  color 
is  lighter,  and  the  tufts  are  rather  thicker  than  in  the  Puckered 
Weissia.  In  a  not  uncommon  variety  of  the  Crisped  Weissia  the 
capsule  is  much  shorter  and  is  suddenly  contracted  into  a  neck. 


20 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND  LENS 


Fig.  15.  a,  a,  Weissia  ulophylla  X  4  and  X  1  respectively,  b,  b\  Cap- 
sules of  the  same  X  20.  c,  Young  sporophyte  with  calyptra  X  20.  d,  d\ 
Weissia  coarctata  X  4  and  X  1  respectively,  e,  Capsule  X  20.  f,  Calyptra 
of  mature  capsule  X  21. 

narrow  and  much  twisted  when  dry.  These  two  species  grow 
exclusively  on  trees ;  the  third,  the  American  Weissia,  grows  exclu- 
sively on  rocks.  Its  leaves  are  rigid  when  dry  like  those  of  Orthot- 
richum,  not  crisped  as  in  the  two  tree-growing  species;  the  cap- 
sules very  closely  resemble  those  of  the  Crisped  Weissia. 

All  three  of  the  Weissias  are  common  in  the  hilly  regions  of 
our  range.     They  mature  their  capsules  in  autumn  or  early  win- 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  21 

ter,  but  apart  from  the  calyptra  are  more  characteristic  when  dry 
and  empty.  The  tree-growing  species  furnish  good  collecting  for 
winter  and  early  spring,  when  most  other  mosses  are  buried  under 
the  snow. 

Wkissia  EirRii.=Ulota  Mohr. 

The  Puckered  Weissia=  IV.   coarctata   (Beauv. )    Lindb.=  Ulota 

Ludwigii  Brid. 
The  Crisped  W.=  IV.  ulophylla  Ehrh  =  Ulota  crispa  Brid. 

The  variety  =  W.  ulophylla  crispula{  Bruch)  Hammar 

=  Ulota  crispula  Brid. 
The  American  Weissia=  IV.  Americana  (Beauv.)  \Andb.=  Ulota 

HutchinsicE  Schimp. 


SPLACHNUM 

THE  odd  looking  moss  represented  in  Fig.  16  is  not  very  com- 
mon and  will  not  be  found  readily  by  most  students.     It  is 
so  striking  in  appearance  that  no  one  can  fail  to  recognize 
it.     The  spores  are  borne  in  the  slender  upper  portion  ;  the  swollen 

and  colored  lower  portion  is 
the  neck  of  the  capsule, 
which  is  covered  with  stom- 
ata  and  filled  with  loose 
tissue  suitable  for  the  as- 
similation of  carbon  dioxide. 
When  dry,  this  portion  be- 
comes irregularly  shrunken 
in  a  manner  very  difficult  to 
represent  in  a  drawing. 


Fig.  16.  Splachnum  ampuUaceum.   leaf 

X  io;  capsule,  ripe  and  unripe.  ■  5.  (The 
plant  and  capsules  represented  are 
rather  small,  as  they  are  often  found  of 
twice  this  si/.e  1. 


There  are  several  species 
of  Splachnum,  but  the  only 
one  likely  to  be  found  is 
S.  ampuUaceum  L. 

There  are  several  other 
rare  mosses  of  the  Splach- 
num Family,  all  remarkable 
for  the  swollen  neck  (much 
less  conspicuous  than  in 
Splachnum,  however),  and 
for  growing  on  animal  ex- 
creta or  decaying  animal 
tissue. 


22 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  CORD  MOSS 

THE  Cord    Moss    \Funhrza  hygromttrica  (L.)  Sibth.]   is  so 
called  because  of  the  twisted  seta,   which  is  very  hygro- 
scopic and  untwists  when  moist.     Its  Latin  name,  Funaria, 
is  derived  from  fum's,  a  rope.     This  twisting  of  the  seta  is  not 

peculiar  to  this 
moss,  however, 
but  is  a  very 
common  thing 
in  nearly  all 
moss  families. 

The  Cord 
Moss  is  to  be 
found  every- 
where, being 
especially 
abundant  i  n 
waste  places 
and  on  soil  re- 
cently burned 
over.  I  have 
seen  it  com- 
pletely cover 
the  soil  i  n  a  n 
old  strawberry 
bed.  When 
mature  it  is 
easily  recog- 
nized by  the 
peculiar  look- 
ing curved  capsule  with  its  mouth  on  one  side.  When  immature 
it  is  much  harder  to  recognize,  because  the  capsule  is  erect  and 
nearly  symmetric  and  the  calyptra  has  not  assumed  the  charac- 
teristic position  indicated  in  the  figures. 

This  moss  has  perhaps  been  given  a  more  careful  study  than 
any  other  species;  it  is  described  in  nearly  every  text  book  on 
botany.  There  are  several  other  species  in  the  United  States, 
but  this  is  the  only  one  commonly  found.  The  capsules  mature 
early  in  June. 


Fig.  17.     Funaria  hygrometrica  X  2,  with  capsules 
of  various  ages  and  degrees  of  magnification. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


23 


THE  URN  MOSS 

THE  Urn  Moss  is  common  on  earth  in  conservatories,  by  road- 
sides and  in  old  fields.     It  is  abundant  in   moist  places  by 
paths  in  the  parks  of  Greater  New  York.     It  must  be  col- 
lected in  May  to  get  the  calyptra  in  position. 

Although  a  very  near 
relative  of  the  Cord  Moss, 
it  entirely  lacks  the  peri- 
stome  which  is  so  con- 
spicuous in  that  species. 
A  much  rarer  moss, 
Pottia,  may  be  found 
and  confused  with  the 
Urn  Moss,  which  it  close- 
ly resembles.  Pottia, 
however,  is  smaller,  ma- 
tures its  capsules  in  win- 
ter, and  under  a  lens  will 
be  seen  to  have  the  mid- 
rib excurrent  instead  of 
ending  below  the  apex  of 
the  leaf,  as  in  the  Urn 
Moss. 

There  are  several  spe- 
cies of  the  Urn  Moss, 
but  the  one  figured  [Physcomitrium  turbin&tutn  (Mx.)  Brid.]  is 
much  the  most  common  and  most  likely  to  be  met  with. 


Fig    1 
capsule 


Physcomitrium  turbinatum 

15- 


THE  BRYUMS 

BRYUM   is  perhaps  the  most  difficult  and  troublesome  of  all 
the  genera  of  mosses.     The  genus  is  large   (500  species, 
195  in  Europe  and  America),  and  the  distinctions  between 
the  species  are  often  few  and  difficult  to  observe.    There  are,  how- 
ever, two  species  that  can  be  recognized  readily  by  anybody. 

The  Silvery  Bryum  ( />'.  arginteum  L.)  grows  everywhere  at 
almost  all  altitudes.  It  is  specially  fond  of  dry  compact  soil  in 
sandy  fields  and  waste  places.  It  grows  abundantly  in  paths  and 
between  the  bricks  of  sidewalks  in  towns  and  cities. 

When  fully  grown  it  is  a  bright  silvery  gray,  due  to  the  fact 
that  the  leaves  are  white  and  without  chlorophyll  when  old.     The 


24 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Fig.    19.     Bryum 
X  10 ;  capsule  X  20. 


argenteum    X  4;    branch 


young  plants  are  green 
and  may  easily  be  mis- 
taken for  something 
else.  The  leaves  end  in 
a  slender  bristle  and  are 
crowded  and  closely 
overlapping,  making  the 
stems  and  branches 
prettily  julaceous. 

The  capsules  mature 
in  autumn,  but  can  be 
found  in  recognizable 
condition  at  almost  any 
season.  When  fully 
mature  the  seta  and 
capules  are  dark   red. 


The  Giant  Bryum  [B.  proliferum  (L.)  Sibth.]  is  the  largest 
and  showiest  of 
all  our  species, 
and,  when  moist 
and  fully  ex- 
panded,  is  a 
striking  object 
in  any  situa- 
tion. The  stems 
spring  from 
stolons  and  are 
nearly  leafless 
except  at  the 
summit,  where 
the  very  large 
leaves  form  a 
rosette.  Under 
favorable  cir- 
cumstances it 
forms  large 
mats  on  old  rot- 
ten logs  or  at 
the  base  of  trees 
in  rich  peaty  soil. 
America  or  England,  but  reproduces  freely  by  its  stolons. 


Bryum  proliferum  X  1  ;  leaf  and  cap- 


Although  common,  it  seldom  fruits  in  either 


flWlJUl  USURY 

*  C  *         ffege 


MOSSKS    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


25 


THE  LONG-NECKED  BRYUM 


r 


HE  Long-necked 
Bryum  [Lefttt>/>- 
ryum  Pyrif<>r)ne 
(L.)  Wils.  ]  is  closely  al- 
lied to  the  true  Bryums. 
although  placed  in  an- 
other genus.  It  is  easily 
recognized  by  its  long- 
necked  capsule  and  slen- 
der hair-like  leaves. 

It  is  rather  rare,  grow- 
ing on  moist  shaded  cliffs 
and  on  rocks  near  water. 
The  capsules  mature  in 
June  and  July. 

Some  species  of  Pohlia, 
an  allied  and  difficult  genus,  have  very  long-necked  capsules,  but 
the  leaves  are  so  much  wider,  that  there  is  no  need  of  confusing 
them  with  the  Long-necked   Bryum. 


Fig.  21.   Leptobryum  pyriforme  X 
and  capsule  X  10. 


leaf 


26 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  BARTRAMIAS 

THE  Bartramias  grow  in  moist  niches  in  cliffs  and  on  moist 
shady  banks,  looking  much  like  tufts  of  green  wool.     The 
characteristic  thing  about  them  is  their  capsules,   which 
are  globular  and  somewhat  unsymmetric  when  moist,    but  dry 


Fig.  22.  a,  Bartramia  pomiformis  X  i.  b,  B.  Oederi  X  i.  c.  Capsule  of 
B.pomiformis  X  10,  and  e,  Mouth  of  same  with  operculum,  d,  Capsule  of 
B.  Oederi  X  10.  f  and  g,  Leaves  of  B.  pomiformis  and  B.  Oederi  respec- 
tively, X  10. 

with  regular  folds  and  alternate  ridges.  When  very  dry  the  body 
of  the  capsule  becomes  so  shrunken  as  to  be  smaller  than  the 
mouth  of  the  capsule  itself. 

We  have  two  species,  the  Long-leaved  Bartramia  or  Apple 
Moss  [B.  pomiformis  (L. )  Hedw.],  easily  distinguished  by  its 
longer  leaves  and  larger  capsnle  from  the  Short-leaved  Bartramia 
[B.  Oederi  (Gunn.)  Svvartz].  The  leaves  of  the  Long-leaved 
Bartramia  are  also  much  more  contorted  or  crisped  when  dry.  It 
is  common  throughout  our  range  whenever  the  country  affords 
a  suitable  habitat,  but  the  Short-leaved  Bartramia  is  rather  rare. 
The  difference  between  the  species  is  so  marked  that  they  cannot 
be  confused. 

Both  species  mature  their  capsules  in  spring;  the  Long- 
leaved  Bartramia  in  April  or  early  May,  and  the  Short-leaved 
two  or  three  weeks  later. 


MOSSES    \\  mi    A    HAND- LENS 


27 


PHILONOTIS 

THK  only  species  of  Philonotis  likely  to  be  met  with  [P.  /on- 
tana    (L. )    Brid.]   is  very  common  where  water  drips  or 
runs  in  shallow  streams  over  rocks.     When  in  fruit  it  may 
be  mistaken  for  a  Bartramia  on  account  of  the  similarity  of  the 

capsules.  The  cap- 
sules of  Philonotis, 
however,  have  a  pro- 
tuberance on  the  lower 
side  that  is  entirely 
lacking  in  Bartramia. 
Philonotis  grows  in 
much  wetter  places, 
has  much  longer  more 
slender  stems  that  are 
often  fasciculately 
branching  at  the  top ; 
shorter,  more  acute 
leaves,  and  is  dioic- 
ous.  The  male  heads 
are  conspicuous  ob- 
jects among  the  fruit- 
ing plants,  though  sel- 
dom appearing  in  ster- 
ile mats.  Although 
Philonotis  is  common, 
the  sporophyte  is  infre- 
quent. The  capsules 
mature  in  May  or  June. 


Fig.   23.     Philonotis  fort  tana 
capsule,  and  male  head       to. 


leaf, 


GYMNOCYBE 

THE  Common  *Gymnocybe  is  very  abundant    m   swamps   and 
wetshaded  hollows.      It  is  rather  lighter  in  color  than  most 
of  the  accompanying  mosses.      When  in  fruit  it  is  readily 
distinguished  by  its  capsules,  deeply  furrowed  when  dry.     Prom 
the  figures  the  capsules  might  possibly  be  confused   with  those  of 

Gymndcybe paliistris  1 1..)  Fries.    Aulacomnium  palustre  Schwai 


28 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Ceratodon,  but  they  are  much  longer  and  much  lighter  colored 
(yellow-brown).  The  plants  are  several  times  as  large  as  those 
of  Ceratodon,  often  reaching  a  height  of  two  or  three  inches. 
Note  also  the  difference  in  habitat. 


Fig.  24.     Gymnocybe  f>alustris  X  10;  capsules  X  10;  pseudopodia  x  4. 

When  not  in  fruit,  Gymnocybe  frequently  bears  on  the  end 
of  the  stem  a  number  of  long  slender  pseudopodia,  which,  when 
young,  bear  clusters  of  gemmae  at  their  ends.  These  gemma1 
serve  to  reproduce  the  plant  asexually  and  may  account  for  the 
rather  infrequent  appearance  of  the  sporophyte. 

The  capsules  mature  in  early  summer. 


■^r-~%3 


$**&** 


Explanation  of  Plate  V. — a,  Mnium  affine  ciliare  X  i. 
b,  Leaf  X  4-  c.  Leaf  x  10.  d,  M.  sylvaticutn  X  i.  e,  Leaves  of 
different  shapes  x  10.     f,  Capsule  x  10.     g,  M.  Drummondi  x  I. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  2Q 


THE  MNIUMS 

THE  Mniums  are  closely  related  to  the  Bryums,  but  in  habit 
and  general  appearance  are  different  enough  so  that  they 
can  usually  be  distinguished  without  difficulty.  As  a  rule, 
the  plants  are  larger  and  broader.  The  Giant  Bryum,  however, 
looks  very  much  like  the  Mniums. 

There  are  numerous  species  of  Mnium,  many  of  them  com- 
mon. We  have  about  six  that  are  common  enough  and  suffi- 
ciently well  characterized  to  warrant  description  here. 

One  of  the  first  signs  of  vegetable  life  in  early  spring  is  the 
array  of  upright  green  sporophytes  of  the  Woodsy  Mnium,  which 
is  common  in  lawns  and  parks  in  moist  shady  corners,  and  is 
to  be  found  abundantly  in  moist  woods  everywhere,  growing, 
sometimes  on  the  soil,  sometimes  on  rotten  wood.  The  capsules 
mature  in  May,  but  can  be  found  in  recognizable  condition  until 
August. 

The  Toothed  Mnium  closely  resembles  the  Woodsy  Mnium 
in  many  respects,  but  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  leaves.  The 
leaves  of  the  Toothed  Mnium  are  serrate  with  very  long  and 
slender  teeth,  which  extend  to  the  base  of  the  leaf.  In  the 
Woodsy  Mnium  the  leaves  are  serrate  with  shorter  teeth  that  do 
not  extend  much  below  the  middle  of  the  leaf.  Until  one  has 
had  some  practice,  it  may  be  necessary  to  mount  the  leaves  in 
order  to  see  the  serration  plainly.  No  reliance  should  be  placed 
on  the  shape  of  the  leaves  in  distinguishing  these  two  species,  as 
the  leaves  vary  greatly  in  shape  in  different  plants  and  on  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  same  plant. 

Drummond's  Mnium  is  a  very  large  single-toothed  species, 
not  uncommon  on  moist  rocky  banks  of  brooks.  It  nearly  always 
produces  several  capsules  from  each  fruiting  plant. 

The-Red  mouthed  Mnium  is  a  fourth  species  somewhat  re- 
sembling the  Woodsy  Mnium  and  growing  in  similar  situations, 
but  less  common  and  usually  growing  in  woods.  The  peristome 
is  a  very  bright  red,  and  after  the  operculum  has  fallen  it  makes 
a  very  conspicuous  red  band  about  the  mouth  of  the  capsule.  If 
the  leaves  of  the  Red-mouthed  Mnium  be  carefully  studied,  the 
teeth  on  the  margins  will  be  seen  to  be  in  pairs.  To  see  this 
with  a  hand-lens  requires  considerable  care,  as  the  teeth  are 
small  and  hide  one  another.  The  capsules  mature  at  least  two 
weeks  later  than  those  of  the  Woodsy  Mnium. 


30  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

There  are  several  species  of  these  double-toothed  Mniums, 
but  the  only  other  one  readily  recognizable  with  a  simple  lens  is 
the  Long-leaved  Mnium,  whose  leaves  are  proportionately  much 
longer  and  narrower,  with  the  costa  ending  below  the  apex.  It  is 
dioicous  and  the  disc-like  male  heads  are  an  additional  aid  in 
identification.  This  species  is  more  abundant  southwards  and  is 
frequent  around  New  York  City  in  shaded  springy  places,  but  is 
not  always  easy  to  obtain  in  fruit. 

The  Early  Mnium  grows  on  moist  stones  in  the  bed  of  brooks. 
It  matures  its  capsules  in  April,  long  before  any  other  species. 
It  is  at  once  recognized  by  its  entire  obovate  leaves  and  beaked 
operculum. 

The  Large-leaved  Mnium  is  said  to  be  merely  a  variety  of 
the  Early  Mnium  growing  in  the  mud  in  swampy  places.  It  is 
often  much  larger  than  the  figure,  sometimes  having  leaves  half 
an  inch  long.  The  leaf  cells  are  so  large  as  easily  to  be  seen 
with  a  lens  and  in  some  cases  with  the  naked  eye  of  a  trained 
observer. 

KEY. 

i.     Leaves  entire, 2. 

Leaves  serrate, 3. 

2.  Growing  on  rocks  in  the  bed  of  brooks 

Early  Mnium  (M.  punctatum  L. ) 

Growing  on  soil  in  shaded  swampy  places,    .... 

Large-leaved  Mnium  (A/,  punctatum  elatuin  Schimp. ) 

3.  Capsules  clustered, 

.     Drum mond's  Mnium  (M.  Drinnmondii  B.  &  S. ) 
Capsules  single 4. 

4.  Leaves  serrate  to  base, 

Toothed  Mnium  \M.  affine  ciliare  (Grev.J  C.  M._] 
Base  of  leaves  entire, 5. 

5.  Leaves  oblong-lanceolate,   5:1, 

.....       Long-leaved  Mnium   (M.  hdrnutn  L.) 
Leaves  oblong,  rounded,  or  obovate, 6. 

6.  Mouth  of  capsule  red, 

Red  mouthed  Mnium  (Af.  spinulosum  B.  &  S. ) 

Mouth  of    capsule  not  red, 

Woodsy  Mnium  (Af.  sylvdticum  Lindb.=J/.  cuspidd- 
tum  Hedw. ) 


Explanation  of  Plate  VI.— a,  M.  punctatum  x  i.     b,  Cap- 
sule and  operculum   x  10.     c,  Leaf  x  a      d,   Var.  e latum 
e,  Leaf  of  var.   elatum   x  4-     f,    Leaf  of  M.    spinulosum   x  20. 
g  and  h,  Apex  and  margin  of  same  x  40.     o,  Leaf  of  M.  hornum 
X  10.     p,  Apex  of  the  same    ■     \o, 


MOSSES    WITH    A    IIANH-LKN 


ANOMODON 

THE  bases  of  trees  in  cool   moist   woods  frequently   wear  an 
apron  of  dark  green,  extending  from  the  roots  to  three  or 
four  feet  above  the  ground  and  often  entirely  encircling  the 
trunk.     This  "apron "  is  usually  composed  of  one  or  more  species 

of  Anomodon,  often  mixed  with 
an  Hepatic  (Porella).  The 
mats  of  Anomodon  are  quite 
thick  and  are  composed  of  a 
network  of  nearly  leafless  stems, 
growing  close  to  the  bark  and 
sending  out  the  crowded 
branches  that  compose  the 
"  pile  "  of  the  mat.  TheAnomo- 
dons  are  nearly  all  rather  large 
coarse  mosses  with  the  sporo- 
phy  te  arising  from  the  branches. 
The  capsules  are  conic-cylin- 
drical, straight,  and  erect. 

Some  species  of  Leskeagrow 
in  similar  situations  and  have  a 
very  similar  sporophyte,  but 
the  Leskeas  are  much  smaller, 
do  not  produce  such  dense 
mats,  and  the  spofophyte  arises 
from  the  stem. 

There  are  three  species  of 
Anomodon  growing  on  trees  as 
described  above:  The  Com- 
mon Anomodon  (A.  apiculatus  B.  &  S. ),  the  Blunt-leaved 
Anomodon  [  A.  minor(P.  Beauv.)  Fuern.=-.  /  obtusifolius  B.  &  S.  | , 
and  the  Slender  Anomodon  [A.  attenuatus  (Schreb.)  Hueben.  ]. 
The  Common  Anomodon  and  the  Blunt-leaved  Anomodon  re- 
semble each  other  so  closely  that  it  is  not  easy  to  distinguish 
them  without  a  compound  microscope.  Both  have  simple  blunt 
branches  and  grow  almost  exclusively  on  trees.  The  Slender 
Anomodon  grows  freely  on  rocks  as  well  as  on  trees,  its  branches 
are  slender  and  tapering,  and  freely  branched.  It  almost  never 
fruits. 

There  are  several  other  rock-growing  species  too  difficult  for 
treatment  here. 


Fig.  25.  a, .  Xnomodon  apiculatus 
X  2.  b,  Capsules  X  .10.  c.  Leaf 
X  10.  d,  Branch  of  .-/.  attcnuatitsy 
moist,  X  2. 


32 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THELIA 

THE  Common  Thelia    {Thelia  hirtella  (Hedw.)    Sulliv.]    is 
very  common  in  the  southern  and  coastwise  portion  of  our 
range.     It  grows  almost  exclusively  on  the  bark  of  stumps 
and  the  bases  of    trees.     It  forms  thin  closely  adherent  mats, 

easily  recognized  by  their 
whitish-green  color,  erect 
symmetric  capsules  with 
whitish  peristome,  jula- 
ceous  branches,  and  con- 
cave suborbicular  leaves. 
The  capsules  mature  in 
autumn. 


Thelia  as  pre  1 1  a 
(Schimp. )  Sulliv.  has  a 
range  and  habitat  very 
similar  to  that  of  T.  hir- 
tella, but  is  even  lighter 
in  color;  when  fresh, 
light  glaucous -green. 
T.  Lescurii  Sulliv.  is 
very  similar  to  the  above 
named  species  but  grows  in  rather  dry  soil.  It  is  confined  to 
the  more  southern  coast  regions;  northern  limit,  Connecticut. 
It  rarely  produces  capsules,  while  the  other  species  fruit  freely. 


X  20. 


26.     Thelia   hirtella 


i    Will!    A    HAND-LENS 


33 


THE  FERN  MOSSES 

THE  Fern  Mosses  (  Thuldium)  have  been  noted  by  every  lover 
of  out-of-door  life  because  of  their  delicate  and  beautiful 
fern-like  form.     The  branches  are  given  off  very  regularly 
like  the  pinnae  of  a  fern,  and  the  branches  themselves  often  give 

off  branchlets  as  regularly  as  the 
pinna  of  a  fern  is  divided  into 
pinnules. 

The  Common  Fern  Moss  [  T. 
delicdtulum  (L.)  Mitt]  grows  in 
damp  shady  places  over  stones  and 
earth,  rotten  logs  and  the  like.  It 
is  very  regularly  twice  or  even 
thrice  pinnate.  It  grows  abun- 
dantly in  suitable  situations 
throughout  our  range,  but  pro- 
duces capsules  rather  sparingly. 
These  mature  in  early  autumn 
and  are  very  large,  much  curved, 
and  are  borne  on  long  stout  setae. 
The  perichaetial  leaves  bear  long 
cilia  along  their  upper  margins. 
This  is  the  only  character  by 
which  this  species  can  be  dis- 
tinguished readily  from  another 
closely  related  species  [  T.  r< 
nit  urn  (Hedw. )  Lindb.],  which  is  also  a  common  plant. 

Growing  on  the  bark  of  trees  are  several  smaller  species  that 
are  usually  only  once  pinnate.  The  Smaller  Fern  Moss  [  T.  scltum 
(Beauv.)  Aust]  is  the  one  most  likely  to  be  met  with,  especially 
in  the  northern  portion  of  our  range.  The  capsules,  besides 
being  much  smaller,  are  only  slightly  cernuous  and  are  nearly 
symmetric.     The  capsules  mature  in  autumn. 

Another  simply  pinnate  species  that  is  common  is  the  Wiry- 
Fern  Moss  [  T.  abietlnum  (L. )  B.  &  S.  |.  This  moss  is  most  fre- 
quently found  in  dry  sterile  places  on  the  ground  among  the  grass, 
and  on  ledges.  It  varies  considerably  in  appearance  according  to 
habitat  and  its  immediate  condition  as  to  moisture.  Usually  it  is 
very  evenly  and  regularly  pinnate.  Though  frequent,  it  is  very 
rarely  found  fruiting  in  our  latitude.  Mr.  R.  S.  Williams,  how- 
ever, found  it  fruiting  freely  in  Alaska.  Mr.  Williams  also  re- 
ports several  other  similar  cases,  one  of  the  most  conspicuous 
being  Ilypnum  rugosum  L. 


lion    < 


sule  of  the  same  X  5. 
X  1. 


,    Thuidium    delicatu- 
T.  scttum       1.   e,  Cap- 

T.  abiet inton 


34  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND- LENS 

THE  MOUNTAIN  FERN  MOSS* 

THE  Mountain  Fern  Moss,  although  belonging  to  a  different 
genus  from  the  other  fern  mosses,  is  best  treated  in  connec- 
tion with  them  because  of  its  similarity  in  form.     As  will 
be  seen  by  the  figures,  it  is  much  larger  and  has  a  very  peculiar 


#SSf 


/  i 


Fig.  28.  Hylocomium  proliferum  X  1. 
and  characteristic  habit.  Every  year  each  of  the  main  shoots  of 
the  previous  year  develops  a  single  fern-like  shoot  from  the 
middle  of  the  upper  side  instead  of  branching  out  from  the  side 
of  the  shoot  as  in  the  case  of  most  mosses.  This  gives  the  plant 
its  peculiar  habit  and  its  botanical  name  of  "■proliferum."  It  is 
one  of  the  too  rare  cases  in  which  the  botanical  name  is  descrip- 
tive of  the  plant  to  which  it  is  applied. 

This  moss  grows  abundantly  in  cool  moist  mountain  woods 
on  stones  and  old  logs.  When  found  growing  elsewhere  it  is  so 
stunted  as  to  give  no  idea  of  its  beauty  in  its  favorite  habitat. 
The  capsules,  which  mature  in  autumn,  though  not  rare,  are  spar- 
ingly produced  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  plants.  When  a 
patch  does  fruit,  however,  it  often  fruits  heavily. 

*  Hylocomium  proliferum  (L.)  Lindb. =./'/.  splendens  of  many  authors. 


MOSSES    Will!     \    HAND-LENS 


35 


THE  SHAGGY  MOSS 

THE  Shaggy  Moss  [Hylocbmium  triqutrhum  (L.)  B.  &  S.  ]  is 
common  on  shaded  banks  that  are  neither  extremely  wet  or 
very   dry.     Its  branches  usually  come  out  irregularly  as 
illustrated  in  the  figure  and  its  leaves  stand  straight  out  from  the 

stem,  giving  it  its 
characteristic  ragged 
appearance.  Some- 
times in  moist  moun- 
tain woods  it  branches 
regularly  and  grows 
to  a  height,  or  rather 
length,  of  five  or  six 
inches,  so  that  one  is 
with  difficulty  per- 
suaded that  it  is  the 
familiar  moss  of  every 
day  acquaintance. 
The  stems  are  very 
stout  and  stiff  but 
elastic,  or  "springy." 
Because  of  its  elas- 
ticity this  moss  is 
sometimes  used  for 
packing  china  and 
other  brittle  objects. 
Although  the  Shag- 
gy Moss  is  common, 
its  capsules  are  rather 
infrequent.  They  ma- 
ture in  winter  or  early 
Iry  they  are  often  regularly  furrowed  with  dee]) 


Fig.  2Q. 


Hylocomium  triquetrum  \ 
leaf  X  4- 


stem 


spring;  when 
wide  furrows. 


36  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

THE  HYPNUM  FAMILY 

THE  two  preceding  species  belong  to  the  great  Hypnum 
Family,  which  contains  a  vast  number  of  our  common 
mosses.  The  majority  of  the  members  of  this  family  are 
slender  and  prostrate,  or  creeping  with  ascending  branches.  The 
sporophyte  varies  a  good  deal,  but  the  capsules  are  more  or  less 
unsymmetric  and  cernuous  in  most  species.  The  members  of 
this  family  usually  grow  in  dense  thin  mats  on  soil,  stones,  rotten 
wood,  and  bark  of  trees.  There  are  hundreds  of  species  belong- 
ing to  this  family  and  the  number  within  our  own  range  is  very 
large.  Many  of  the  species  and  even  genera  are  so  closely  re- 
lated and  are  distinguished  by  so  few  and  so  minute  differences 
that  no  one  but  a  trained  and  expert  student  of  mosses  can  name 
them  correctly.  For  this  reason  only  a  few  of  the  most  strongly 
marked  species  can  be  treated  here.  This  is  to  be  regretted,  for 
many  of  the  commonest  mosses  will  thus  be  omitted  and  the 
student  will  be  discouraged  by  finding  so  many  things  that  he 
cannot  identify.  It  is  safe  advice  to  the  beginner  to  leave  the 
Hypnums  until  he  has  studied  the  more  easily  recognized  mosses. 
Roughly,  the  more  common  genera  are  distinguished  thus: 
Plagiothecium  and  Entodon  are  flattened  in  a  plane  parallel  to 
the  substratum,  but  the  capsules  of  Entodon  are  erect  and  sym- 
metric, while  those  of  Plagiothecium  are  curved  and  cernuous. 
Brachythecium  has  very  short  ovoidal  capsules  that  are  cernuous 
and  somewhat  curved  (except  B.  acuminatum  and  B.  oxycladon); 
the  leaves  have  a  strong  midrib.  Eurhynchiuin,  Cirrpihyllutn, 
and  Rhynchostegium  have  the  strong  midrib  and  short  capsules 
of  Brachythecium,  but  the  opercula  are  grotesquely  long-beaked, 
much  as  in  Dicranum.  Raphidostegium  has  long-beaked  cap- 
sules like  the  three  genera  mentioned  above,  but  the  leaves  lack 
the  midrib.  Pylaisiella  grows  exclusively  on  the  bark  of  trees,  and 
is  dark  green ;  the  short  branches  are  strongly  curved  at  the  end 
when  dry,  and  the  capsules  are  erect  and  symmetric.  Hypnum 
has  so  many  varying  forms  that  one  can  best  get  an  idea  of  it 
from  studying  the  individual  species  described  below. 

HYPNUM 

In  one  section  of  this  composite  genus  the  leaves  are  all 
turned  to  one  side  (secund),  and  the  branching  is  more  or  less 
regularly  pinnate,  giving  the  plants  a  plume-like  appearance  in 
many  cases.     The  leaves  are  without  midrib.     This  section  is 


MOSSES    W  I  III     \    HAM'  LENS 


37 


Fijc.  30.  a,  Hypnum  crista-castrensis  X  i-  b,  H.imponens  ■  1.  c,  Por- 
tion of  branch  of  //.  crista-castrensis  X  10.  e,  Capsules  ■  10.  d,  Capsules 
of  H.  imponens  X  10. 

often  called  Hypnum  proper.  Two  of  the  most  common  ami 
easily  recognized  mosses  of  this  group  are  the  Plume  Moss 
(Hypnum  crista-castrttnsis  L. )  and  the  Pinnate  Hypnum  (//. 
impbnen$  Hedw  )  The  Plume  Moss  is  common  on  decayed  wood 
and  stumps  in  cool  moist  woods  in  New  England  and  New  York, 
and  probably  throughout  our  range.  A  few  starved  specimens 
have  bt-en  collected  on  Long  Island.  To  be  appreciated,  this  moss 
should  be  seen  in  the  cool  moist  recesses  of  the  primeval  moun- 
tain forests,  where  it  covers  the  fallen  and  decaying  trunks  of 
huge  trees  with  ample  robes  of  richest  texture.  The  shoots  are 
ascending  and  as  regularly  pinnate  as  any  feather,  even  to  the 
triangular  apex  of  the  shoot.     Its  color  is  a  light  yellow-green. 


38  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

Its  capsules  are  strongly  curved  and  cernuous ;  they  mature  in 
autumn. 

The  Pinnate  Hypnum  is  a  much  more  common  moss  in  the 
lowlands  and  grows  almost  exclusively  on  rotten  wood  in  moist 
shady  places.  It  somewhat  resembles  the  Plume  Moss,  but  is 
prostrate,  forming  dense  closely  cohering  mats.  It  is  also  darker 
green;  the  capsules  are  nearly  erect  and  symmetric,  and  the  pin- 
nate branching  stops  short  of  the  apex  of  the  shoots,  as  is  shown 
in  the  figure.  A  careful  examination  will  show  that  there  is  a 
difference  in  the  curvature  of  the  leaves;  in  the  Pinnate 
Hypnum  the  leaves  curve  towards  the  substratum  at  right 
angles  to  the  plane  of  the  stem,  while  in  the  Plume  Moss  they 
curve  towards  the  branch  next  below  on  the  stem.  The  capsules 
of  the  Pinnate  Hypnum  are  produced  much  the  more  freely; 
they  mature  in  winter,  but  persist  in  good  condition  for  a  long 
time. 

Hypnum  curvifblium  Hedw.  is  a  much  rarer  moss  that  re- 
sembles H.  imponens  when  sterile.  It  is  more  confined  to  the 
mountains,  is  larger,  lighter  colored,  and  has  curved  cernuous 
capsules  that  are  very  strongly  furrowed  when  dry,  looking  much 
like  those  of  the  Fuscous  Dicranum  (Fig.  7). 

Hypnum  reptile  Mx.  is  another  regularly  pinnate  moss  of 
this  group,  but  it  is  less  than  half  the  size  of  the  three  described 
above.  Its  general  appearance  is  fairly  well  represented  in 
Fig.  27,  b,  but  the  capsules  are  longer  and  more  curved.  With  a 
lens  the  leaves  of  the  Thuidium  will  be  seen  to  be  acute  and 
straight,  while  those  of  the  Hypnum  are  curved  and  long 
acuminate.  The  Thuidium  grows  in  thin  mats  so  that  its  pin- 
nate character  is  easily  seen  at  a  glance ;  the  Hypnum  grows  in 
such  densely  interwoven  mats  that  it  is  often  necessary  to  disen- 
tangle it  before  its  pinnate  character  becomes  apparent.  Hypnum 
reptile  matures  its  capsules  much  earlier  than  any  of  the  three 
other  species  mentioned  above.  They  are  usually  fully  ripe  in 
August. 

Wherever  rotten  wood  is  found  in  moist  shaded  places,  there 
the  Common  Hypnum  (H  Haldanianum  Grev. )  is  almost  sure  to 
grow,  covering  the  unsightly  masses  of  rotten  wood  with  its  up- 
holstery of  bright  green.  It  is  one  of  our  commonest  mosses  and 
nearly  always  fruits  freely. 


MOSSES    Willi    A    HAND-LENS 


39 


Fig.  31.     Ilvpnum  Haldanianum  x  2  ;  branch   <  5  ;  capsule   •    10. 

The  Common  Hypnum  in  appearance  is  very  little  like  the 
species  previously  described;  the  leaves  are  straight  and 
equally  spreading  on  all  sides,  not  secund.  The  capsules  are 
cylindrical  and  somewhat  curved,  much  like  those  of  the  Pinnate 
Hypnum,  only  larger.  They  mature  in  late  autumn  or  winter, 
but  remain  in  fairly  good  condition  until  the  next  summer. 

The  Long-capsuled  Brachythecium  [B.  oxycladon  (Brid.) 
J.  &  S.]  sometimes  grows  on  decaying  wood  and  then  is  scarcely 
to  be  distinguished  from  the  Common  Hypnum  with  certainty 
unless  the  leaves  be  examined  with  a  high-power  lens,  when  they 
will  be  seen  to  have  a  strong  midrib.  The  capsules  are  usually 
much  darker  than  those  of  the  Common  Hypnum.  The  usual 
habitat  of  the  Long-capsuled  Brachythecium  is  on  moist  ledges 
and  rocks. 


40 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


"'     %f-*'- 

5jTj{7S\  /~a^>  Mill  iTfl 

£'    ''   x^ 

Fig.  32.    Hypnum  Schreberi  x  ^. 

SCHREBER'S  HYPNUM 

Schreber's  Hypnum  (//.  Schreberi  Willd.)  is  the  bright 
yellow-green  moss  that  forms  dense  deep  cushions  by  almost 
every  moist  shaded  roadside  in  inland  country  regions.  It  is 
abundant  in  moist  pastures  and  open  woods,  and  sometimes 
makes  its  most  luxuriant  growth  in  a  sphagnum  bog.  It  is  so 
common,  so  conspicuous,  and  withal  so  large,  that  every  one 
must  have  noticed  it  at  some  time  or  other.  The  stems  are  often 
four  to  six  inches  long  and  nearly  erect,  and  crowded  so  closely 
together  as  to  form  dense  soft  cushions  into  which  the  foot  sinks 
deeply.  Examined  closely,  the  stems  appear  a  bright  red  through 
the  semi-transparent  leaves. 

The  cut  of  this  moss  is  the  only  attempt  in  the  book  to  illus- 
trate by  means  of  photography.  The  results  did  not  warrant  a 
farther  trial.  Mosses  are  too  dark  and  too  small  to  photograph 
successfully. 

Schreber's  Moss  has  broad  obtuse  leaves  and  is  put  by  some 
botanists  in  a  subgenus  of  Hypnum,  by  others  in  Hylocomium. 
The  capsules  mature  in  autumn;  they  are  not  so  frequent  as  one 
would  expect  from  the  abundance  of  the  gametophyte. 


MOSSES    W  II  11     \    HAND-LENS  |  I 

THE  HOOKED  MOSSES 

GROWING  on  stones,  earth,   and  decayed   wood  in  shaded 
swamps,  on  edges  of  brooks,  and  shores  of  lakes  and  streams 
will    be  found  another  type  of    Hypnum    with    strongly 
?ecund   and   hooked   leaves.     These   mosses  belong  to  the  sub- 
genus Harpidium.     As  a  rule  the  Hooked  Mosses  are  much  larger 


Fig.  33.    Hypnum  uncinatum  x  1  ;  capsules  x  10. 


than  the  true  Hypnums  and  are  seldom  or  never  regularly  pin- 
nate. The  leaves  at  the  end  of  the  branches  are  specially  notice- 
able for  their  hook-like  appearance.  Mounted  and  examined 
with  a  high-power  lens,  the  leaves  will  be  seen  to  have  a  well 
developed  midrib,  which  at  once  distinguishes  them  from  those 
of  the  true  Hypnums. 

The  species  of  this  subgenus  are,  perhaps,  the  most  puzzling 
of  any  of  the  Hypnum  Family  and  it  is  entirely  useless  to  en- 
deavor to  enable  anybody  to  distinguish  the  species  without  the 
use  of  a  compound  microscope. 

The  species  figured  {Hypnum  uncinbtum  Hedw.)  is  the  most 
common  member  of  the  subgenus.  It  is  most  frequently  found 
on  damp  stones,  more  rarely  on  soil.  The  capsules  are  usually 
produced  freely,  maturing  in  autumn. 


42 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  WATER-LOVING  HYPNUMS 

THERE  are  several  species  belonging  to  the  Hypnum  Family 
that  grow  on  the  stones  in  the  bed  of  brooks,  particularly 
in  mountain  regions.     They  do  not  belong  to  one  genus, 
but  their  similarity  of  habitat,  often  combined  with  similarity  in 
appearance,  makes  it  easier  to  study  them  together. 


Fig.  34.     Rhynchostl'gium  7-usciforme  X  2  ;  leaves  and  capsule  X  10. 

Two  of  these,  the  Beaked  Water  Moss  {Rhynchostcgium 
rusciforme  (Neck)  B.  &  S.]  and  the  Round-leaved  Hypnum 
{H.  dilatatum  Wils. )  grow  on  stones  in  the  middle  of  brooks  and 
are  partially  submerged,  or  at  least  wet  with  spray,  during  the 
entire  year,  and  are  submerged  except  at  low  water.  These 
mosses  are  very  dark,  almost  black,  except  the  youngest  portion 
of  the  plants,  and  the  leaves  are  very  broadly  ovate  to  almost 
orbicular,  and  obtuse  or  very  bluntly  acute. 

The  Beaked  Water  Moss  is  the  coarser  of  the  two,  with 
broadly  ovate  costate  leaves  and  strongly  beaked  capsules,  which 
latter  mature  in  September.  They  are  frequently  produced  in 
large  quantities  and  present  a  very  pretty  appearance  indeed 
against  the  dark  background  of  the  gametophyte. 

The  Round-leaved  Hypnum  belongs  to  the  subgenus  Hygro- 
hypnum.     Its  leaves  are  suborbicular  and  nearly  ecostate.     The 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


I 


' 


Fig.  35.    Hypnum  dilitatum  X  3 ;  leaves  and  capsule  X  10. 

capsules  are  not  beaked.  They  mature  in  July  according  to 
Limpricht,  but  in  autumn  according  to  my  observations. 

The  Round-leaved  Hypnum  is  frequent  in  mountain  streams, 
but  has  formerly  been  referred  to  another  closely  related  species 
{H.  molle  Dicks.),  a  much  rarer  moss  with  ovate-elliptical  leaves. 

There  are  several  other  species  of  Hygro  hypnum  that  may 
be  found  in  water.  One  of  these  (H.  ochraceum  Turn.)  may  be 
recognized  by  its  yellowish  or  ochre-green  color  and  strongly 
secund  leaves. 


THE  BRACHYTHECIUMS 

THE    Brachytheciums,   as  previously  stated   (p.  36),  are  dis- 
tinguished by  their  short  thick  unsymmetric  cernuous  cap- 
sules, and  leaves  with  a  well  developed  midrib.     There  are 
at  least  two  species  of  Brachythecium  that  should  be  classed  among 
the  water-loving  members  of  the  Hypnum  Family,  although  they 
are  not  so  thoroughly  aquatic  as  the  two  species  just  described. 

The  Rivulet  Brachythecium  (B.  rwulctre  B.  &  S. )  loves  best 
the  wet  gravelly  soil  at  the  edges  of  cool  swift  brooks.  Fre- 
quently it  will  entirely  cover  the  gravelly  bottom  of  a  mountain 
stream  that  is  nearly  dry  during  the  summer.  It  is  submerged  at 
times  of  high  water  and  never  grows  in  places  that  become  en- 
tirely dry;  occasionally  it  will  grow  submerged,  but  even  then  it 
is  attached  to  the  gravel  at  the  bottom  of  the  stream  and  not  to 
the  stones,  as  in  the  case  of  the  two  preceding  species.     When 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


***** 


Fig.  36.    Brachythecium  rivulare  X  1  ;  leaves  and  capsules  X  10. 

growing  submerged  the  stems  of  the  Rivulet  Brachythecium  be- 
come greatly  elongated,  slender  and  sparingly  branched,  with 
few  and  distant  leaves.  It  is  always  much  lighter  colored  than 
either  the  Beaked  Water  Moss  or  the  Round-leaved  Hypnum;  the 
leaves  are  rather  smaller,  ovate  and  obtusely  acute.  The  branch 
leaves  are  usually  much  smaller  than  the  stem  leaves.  The  stems 
are  often  tall  and  stout,  with  a  shrub-like  habit.  The  capsules 
are  not  beaked,  they  mature  in  autumn. 

Brachythecium  plumbsum  (Sw. )  B.  &  S.  grows  on  rocks  in 
the  bed  of  brooks,  but  is  not  submerged  except  at  high  water. 
The  difference  in  habit  alone  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  it  from 
B.  rivulare,  but  it  is  also  much  smaller,  darker  green,  more 
closely  applied  to  the  substratum,  nearly  prostrate,  with  acumi- 
nate stem  leaves. 

B.  populeum  (Hedw  )  B.  &  S.  is  a  much  more  slender 
species  growing  on  boulders,  often  near  streams,  but  never  on 
stones  regularly  submerged  at  high  water.  In  this  species  the 
midrib  runs  to  the  very  apex  of  the  leaf. 

Two  other  species  of  Brachythecium  are  treated  elsewhere 
(pp.  36  and  50). 


M<  ISSE  5   WITH     \    IIANl'-l  ENS 


45 


RAPHIDOSTEGIUM 

Till-:  Common  Raphidostegium  [/?.  recurvans  (Mx.)  J.  &  S.  | 
looks  very  much  like  one  of  the  true  Hypnums  with  irregu- 
lar branching.     It  is  a  bright  yellow-green  and  grows  in 
dense  mats  on  rotten  stumps  and  logs  in  wet  shaded  places.     It 


Fig-  37.    Raphidostlgium  rectirvans  X 


2  ;  capsules 


is  common  throughout  our  range,  but  I  have  rarely  seen  it  in 
fruit  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  City.  The  chief  distinction 
from  the  true  Hypnums  lies  in  the  very  short  capsules  with  lid 
very  long  beaked.  Until  one  becomes  familiar  with  it,  it  is  hard 
to  recognize  unless  in  fruit.  The  capsules  mature  in  autumn  and 
are  often  produced  in  great  profusion. 


THE  BEAKED  MOSSES 

AS  has  been  previously  stated,  the  Keakcd  Mosses  {Eurhyn. 
cAi'um,  Rhynchosiegium,  and  Cirriphyllum)  are  very 
closely  allied  to  Brachythecium,  differing   mainly  in  the 

long-beaked  operculum.     One  of  these,  the  Beaked   Water  Moss, 
has  already  been  described  on  page  42. 


46 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Fig.  38.    a,  Eurhynchium  hians   X  2.    b,  b.   Capsules  X 
d,  Leaf  of  Rhynchostegium  serrulatum  X 


Leaf  X  20. 


There  are  several  species  of  Beaked  Mosses  that  belong  in 
genus  Eurhynchium  that  are  fairly  common,  but  it  is  doubtful  if 
they  can  be  accurately  determined  without  the  aid  of  the  com- 
pound microscope.  The  Light  Beaked  Moss  [Eurhynchium  hians 
(Hedw. )  J.  &  S.]  is  very  common  on  sandy  soil  in  the  lowlands. 
It  is  abundant  in  the  public  parks  of  Brooklyn,  but  rarely  fruits 
there.  It  prefers  damp  places,  not  wet.  The  leaves  spread  so 
that  the  branches  appear  flattened  in  a  horizontal  plane.  When 
fresh,  the  color  is  a  peculiar  shining  light  yellow-green.  The 
branch  leaves  are  usually  bluntly  acute.  The  capsules  are  pro- 
duced sparingly,  maturing  in  October. 

The  Dark  Beaked  Moss  [Rhynchostegium  serrulatum 
(Hedw.)  J.  &  S.]  is  found  in  a  similar  habitat,  but  has  a  more 
southerly  and  coastwise  range,  and  is  more  likely  to  be  found 
near  the  base  of  trees.  It  is  also  flattened,  but  is  a  dark  rich 
green  in  color  and  the  leaves  are  much  longer  and  more  slenderly 
acuminate,  as  shown  in  the  figure. 


Willi    A    HAND- LEWS 


47 


Fig-  59-     Cirriphyllum   Boscii    •   4-3;  branch  X  5;  leaves  and  capsule        10. 

The  Spoon-leaved  Moss  \Cirriphyllutn  Boscii  (Schwaegr.j 
Grout]  is  one  of  the  Beaked  Mosses  that  is  easy  to  recognize 
when  in  its  normal  condition.  It  grows  in  fields  among  the  grass 
and  on  the  ground  in  woods.  Its  leaves  are  very  concave,  being 
shaped  much  like  the  bowl  of  a  spoon  with  a  long  twisted  point 
added.  The  leaves  are  very  regularly  imbricated,  making  the 
branches  turgid  and  very  markedly  julaceous,  so  that  they  look 
like  little  glossy  yellow-green  catkins.  Although  it  gets  as  far 
north  as  southern  Vermont,  it  is  much  more  abundant  southwards. 
It  fruits  sparingly,  the  capsules  maturing  in  autumn. 


48 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  PLAGIOTHECIUMS 

THE  stems  and  branches  of  the  Plagiotheciums  grow  close  to 
that  upon  which  the  plant  grows    (substratum)    and   the 
leaves  are  apparently  in  two  rows,  giving  the  plants  a  flat- 
tened appearance  like  that  of  the  Dark  and  the  Light  Beaked 


Fijar.  40.     a,  Plagiothecium  denticulatum  X  2.     b,  Three  capsules  of  the  same 
X  10.    c,  Capsules  of  P.  sylvaticum  X  10. 

Mosses.  They  are  readily  separated  from  these  Beaked  Mosses  by 
the  fact  that  the  Plagiotheciums  have  leaves  without  a  midrib  or 
else  with  a  very  short  and  double  midrib.  The  capsules  are  also 
an  aid,  as  they  are  long  and  slender  like  those  of  Hypnum 
proper.     The   species   are   numerous  and  difficult  to  determine. 

There  are  two  species  everywhere  present  that  may  perhaps 
be  recognized  with  the  aid  of  a  brief  description  and  the  accom- 
panying cuts.  Both  these  species  grow  on  humus  in  damp  woods 
and  shaded  places ;  they  grow  at  the  base  of  trees  and  about  rocks 
when  there  is  a  slight  layer  of  humus  for  their  nutrition. 

The  Slender  Plagiothecium  [P.  denticulatum  (L.)  B.  &  S.] 
is  more  slender  in  habit  and  has  nearly  symmetrical  suberect  cap- 
sules with  the  lid  not  beaked.  The  Woodsy  Plagiothecium 
[P.  sylvaticum  (Huds. )  B.  &  S.]  is  generally  a  much  coarser 
plant  with  larger,  curved  and  cernuous  capsules  having  a  long- 
beaked  lid.     The  capsules  of  both  species  mature  in  summer. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HANI »- 1. ENS 


49 


PYLAISIELLA 

PYLAISIELLA  affects  the  habitat  of  the  Grimmia  Family  in 
that  it  grows  on  the  bark  of  living  trees.     It  is  readily  dis- 
tinguished from  the   members   of    that   family    by   being 
pleurocarpous,  by  the  long  exserted  capsules,  by  the  lighter  green 


**W^ 


Fig.  41.    Pylaisiella  Schimperi  X  10,  wet  and  dry  ;  leaf    <  20 ;  capsule       10 

color,  and  by  having  the  branches  somewhat  hooked  at  the  end 
when  dry.  Old  apple  trees  in  a  rather  dense  orchard  are  a 
favorite  habitat  of  the  Common  Pylaisiella  [P.  Schimperi (R.  &  C. ) 
Grout=  Pjy/ a /s /a  intricata  of  most  authors] .  It  is  also  common  on 
trees  in  the  open  woods  and  can  be  found  on  the  shade  trees  of 
almost  any  of  the  smaller  New  England  towns,  but  does  not 
seem  to  thrive  near  the  large  cities.  The  plants  grow  closely 
interwoven  and  present  the  appearance  represented  in  the  figure 
only  when  disentangled.  The  erect  subcylindric  capsules  ma- 
ture in  autumn. 


50  MOSSES    WITH    A    IIAND-LKNS 

THE  *ENTODONS 

THE  Entodons  have  erect  symmetric  capsules,  ecostate  very 
concave  leaves  and  a  beautiful  glossy  yellow-green  color 
that  enables  one  to  recognize  them  without  much  trouble. 
The  majority  of  the  species  are  flattened,  but  have  the  appear- 
ance of  being  pressed  fiat  instead  of  having  the  leaves  apparently 
two-ranked  as  in  Plagiothecium.  The  stems  and  branches,  how- 
ever, are  round  and  julaceous  with  closely  imbricated  leaves  in 
the  round- stemmed  Entodon  [E.  sedi'ictrix  (Hedw.)  C.  Muell.], 
which  is  probably  the  most  common  species  in  the  southern  por- 
tion of  our  range.  .  It  grows  on  rotten  wood,  soil,  moist  rocks, 
bark  of  trees,  etc. 

The  Flat  stemmed  Entodon  [E.  cladorrhizans  (Hedw.), 
C.  Muell.]  is  nearly  always  found  on  decayed  wood,  rarely  on 
soil  rich  in  humus.  Its  strongly  flattened  stem  and  branches 
easily  distinguish  it  from  the  Round-stemmed  Entodon.  This 
character,  together  with  the  peculiar  color  characteristic  of  the 
genus,  will  differentiate  it  from  species  belonging  to  other  genera. 
There  are  a  number  of  other  American  species  of  Entodon  that 
resemble  the  Flat- stemmed  Entodon,  but  they  are  rare  and  not 
likely  to  be  met  with.  The  leaves  of  both  species  are  very  con- 
cave, but  those  of  the  Flat-stemmed  Entodon  are  larger.  Both 
species  mature  their  capsules  in  autumn  or  early  winter. 

The  Erect  Brachythecium  [B.  aciwiinatwn  (Hedw.)  Kindb.] 
is  often  mistaken  for  the  Round-stemmed  Entodon.  It  has  a 
similar  habitat  and  very  nearly  the  same  range.  It  also  has 
julaceous  light-green  branches  and  erect  symmetric  capsules. 
A  careful  examination  of  the  leaves  will  enable  one  to  decide  at 
once  to  which  of  the  two  any  given  specimen  belongs.  The 
leaves  of  the  Brachythecium  are  somewhat  smaller,  scarcely  con- 
cave, ovate-lanceolate  and  gradually  acuminate,  and  strongly 
costate.  The  Erect  Brachythecium  is  an  anomaly  in  the  genus ; 
it  and  its  allies  should  probably  be  placed  in  a  separate 
genus.  It  is  not  related  to  Entodon,  but  is  treated  in  connection 
with  it  because  of  its  similarity  in  appearance.  Its  capsules  are 
occasionally  somewhat  curved.     They  mature  in  autumn. 


* Entodon  C.  Mwtt.^Cytfndrothea'um  B.  &  S. 


Explanation  oi   l'i  ^teVII. —  a,  Entodon  cladorrhtzans  x  i. 

b,  Branch  x  5-  c,  Leaves  x  20.  d,  Capsules  x  10.  e,  E.  seduc- 
trix  X  1.  f,  Branch  x  5.  g,  Leaves  x  20.  h,  Capsules  X  10. 
i,  Leaves  of  Brachythecium  acuminatum  x  20.  j,  Capsules  of 
the  same  X  i<>- 


MOSSES    Willi    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  TREE  MOSSES 

THE  Tree  Mosses  {C/imacnim)  are  perhaps  the  largest  of  the 
pleurocarpous  mosses.     They  are  very  markedly  tree-like 
in  habitat,   and  this,  together  with  their  size,  has  always 
brought  them  to  the  notice  of  those  accustomed  to  country  life- 


Fig.  42.  a,  Climacium  Americanum  i.  b.  Capsule  10.  c,  Branch 
leaf  io.  d,  Branch  leaf  of  C.  dendroides  to.  e,  Capsule  of  the 
same       io. 


52  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

They  are  often  mistaken  for  small  forms  of  the  Running  Pine 
{Lycopodiuni).  These  mosses  are  common  in  moist  or  wet  soil, 
particularly  in  wooded  swamps,  where  their  favorite  habitat  is 
around  the  bases  of  stumps,  trees,  or  other  similar  elevations. 
They  are  also  found  in  moist  grassy  places,  but  rarely  fruit  in  the 
latter  habitat,  and  infrequently  in  the  former.  The  erect  tree- 
like shoots  grow  from  stolons  that  are  partially  or  wholly  under 
ground.  These  continue  to  grow  horizontally,  producing  new 
shoots  each  year. 

We  have  two  species,  the  European  Tree  Moss  \Climacium 
dendroides  (L.)  Web.  &  Mohr.]  and  the  American  Tree  Moss 
(C.  Americanum  Brid.).  The  leaves  of  the  American  Tree  Moss 
are  usually  much  more  closely  appressed  when  dry  and  are  much 
more  conspicuously  auricled ;  its  capsules  are  nearly  twice  as  long 
as  those  of  the  European  Tree  Moss.  Both  species  mature  the 
capsules  in  autumn.  The  European  Tree  Moss  is  a  native  of 
America  as  well  as  of  Europe,  but  it  was  first  described  from  the 
Old  World.  It  is  more  common  northwards,  while  the  American 
Tree  Moss  is  more  common  southwards.  Both  species  are  com- 
mon in  New  England. 

A  third  form  of  the  Tree  Mosses  is  common  in  swamps  in 
the  southern  portion  of  our  range.  It  grows  close  to  the  water 
and  often  down  into  it.  It  is  prostrate  or  creeping,  and  rarely  if 
ever  assumes  a  tree-like  habit.  It  has  previously  been  called  a 
variety  of  the  American  Tree  Moss  (C.  Americanum  var.  Kind- 
bergii  R.  &  C),  or  Kindberg's  Tree  Moss.  It  is  named  after 
Dr.  N.  Conrad  Kindberg,  of  Linkoeping,  Sweden,  who  has  de- 
termined Professor  Macoun's  Canadian  Mosses.  This  form  is  very 
abundant  in  the  swamps  of  Long  Island.  It  looks  like  a  very 
coarse  Hypnum  with  large  erect  symmetric  capsules.  It  fruits 
freely,  the  capsules  maturing  in  early  autumn,' 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-I  I  \N 


53 


*NECKERA 

NECKERA  is  found  almost  exclusively  on  the  trunks  of  de- 
ciduous trees  in  cool  moist  woods,    rarely  on  ledges  or 
cliffs   in  similar  situations.     Neckera  rarely  grows  near 
the  base  of  a  tree,  nearly  always  growing  well  above  that  por- 


Fig.  43.    Neckera  pennata   ■   1  %   leaves  X  io ;    capsules,    with    and    without 
pericluctial  leaves  X  10. 

tion  of  the  trunk  occupied  by  Anomodon  or  Leskea,  and  extend- 
ing upwards  to  a  height  of  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  feet,  accord- 
ing to  the  size  of  the  trees  and  the  density  of  the  wood.  Neckera 
is  clearly  characterized  by  its  flattened  branches,  having  wavy 
leaves,  and  its  immersed  capsules  pendent  from  the  lower  side  of 
the  branches.  The  branches  usually  extend  out  from  the  tree 
trunk  at  an  angle  of  from  45  to  75  degrees.  The  capsules  are 
produced  on  the  older  portions  of  the  plant,  often  in  great  num- 
bers.    They  mature  in  summer. 


♦The  only  species  likely  to  be  met  with  in  our  range  is  X .  pennata  (L.) 
Hedw. 


54 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


THE  LEUCODONS 

LIKE  Neckera,  Leucodon  grows  some  little  distance  upon  the 
trunks  of  deciduous  trees.     It  is  often  difficult  to  collect 
because  it  grows  beyond  one's  reach.     The  branches  hang 
downward  and  outward,  and  sometimes  have  an  upward  curve  at 


Fig.   44.    a,  Leucodon   brachypus   X  1.    b,   Leaf    X  zo.    c,   Sporophyte    X  10. 
d,  Leaf  of  L.  julaceus  X  20.    e,  Sporophyte  X  10.     f,  Capsule  X  10. 


the  end.  The  cut  shows  the  usual  position  of  the  branches.  The 
sporophyte  takes  the  direction  of  that  part  of  the  branch  from 
which  it  springs.  The  perichsetial  leaves  are  very  long,  and 
in  one  species  at  least,  partially  cover  the  capsule,  although 
the  seta  is  of  considerable  length.  The  branches,  however,  are 
very  unlike  those  of  Neckera  in  that  they  are  nearly  or  quite 
terete  and  also  julaceous. 

We  have  two  species  of  Leucodon  that  are  common  in  por- 
tions of  our  range,  the  Northern  Leucodon  (Z.  brachypus 
Brid.),  which  is  common  in  the  cool  forests  of  the  North,  and  the 
Southern  Leucodon  [L.  julaceus  ( Hedw. )  Sulliv.] ,  which  is  much 


Explanation  of  Plate  VI II.— a,  Font  ma  lis  dalecarlica  X  %.     1 

branch  o 


to 


branch  X  5-     c,  Portion  of  plant  bearing  capsules  x  5-     d,  A  short 
•  gigantea. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  55 

more  abundant  southwards,  being  comparatively  rare  in  New 
England.  The  Northern  Leucodon  has  gradually  acuminate 
leaves,  which  are  somewhat  secund  and  turned  towards  the  lower 
side  of  the  branch.     Its  capsules  are  partially  immersed. 

The  Southern  Leucodon  has  terete  julaceous  branches,  leaves 
smaller  and  abruptly  acute,  and  capsules  entirely  free  from  the 
perichrctial  leaves. 


THE  WATER  MOSSES  (Fontinalis) 

ALTHOUGH  mosses  belonging  to  several  other  families  are 
aquatic,  the  mosses  of  the  Fontmalis  Family  are  most  em- 
phatically entitled  to  the  name  of  The  Water  Mosses. 
In  the  genus  Fontinalis  all  the  species  are  aquatic  and  submerged. 
Some  grow  attached  to  stones  and  sticks  in  swift  brooks.  Others 
are  found  attached  to  objects  in  ponds  and  sluggish  streams. 
Rarely,  if  ever,  are  they  found  in  stagnant  water.  The  Water 
Mosses  are  so  distinct  from  all  others  in  their  long  slender  float- 
ing stems  and  branches  that  no  one  can  fail  to  recognize  them. 
The  species  are,  however,  very  difficult  to  determine,  with  one 
or  two  exceptions. 

The  Giant  Water  Moss  {Fontinalis  gigdntea  Sulliv. )  is 
common  in  cool  brooks  and  is  most  distinct  by  reason  of  its  large 
turgid  three-cornered  stems  and  branches.  The  branch  shown  in 
the  plate  is  a  very  short  one  ;  the  branches  are  sometimes  a  foot 
or  more  long,  The  Giant  Water  Moss  rarely  fruits,  but  the  Com- 
mon Water  Moss  (Fontinalis  dalecdrlica  B.  &  S. )  is  every- 
where abundant  and  usually  fruits  freely,  the  capsules  maturing 
in  summer.  As  will  be  seen  from  the  plate,  the  capsules  are 
almost  entirely  covered  by  the  pericructium  and  are  borne  on  the 
older  portions  of  the  plant  from  which  the  leaves  have  fallen. 
One  must  not  be  too  sure  that  he  has  found  this  species  until  he 
has  studied  it  with  a  compound  microscope,  as  there  are  several 
other  common  species  that  are  not  readily  distinguished  from  it. 


56  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

A    NUMBERED    LIST  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  MOSSES 

DESCRIBED    IN    THE    PRECEDING    PAGES 

SYSTEMATICALLY  ARRANGED* 


SPHAGNACE.*:. 

i.     Sphagnum  acutifolium  Ehrh.     Acute-leaved  Peat  Moss. 

2.  S.  cymbifolium  (Ehrh.)    Hedw.     Spoon-leaved  Peat  Moss. 

3.  S.  squarrosum  Pers.     Squarrose  Peat  Moss. 

BUXBAUMIACE.^. 

4.  Buxbaumia  aphylla  L.     Buxbaumia. 

5.  Webera  sessilis  (Schmid. )  Lindb.     Webera. 

GEORGIACE/E. 

6.  Georgia  pellucida  (L  )  Rab.     Georgia. 

POLYTRICHACE.E. 

7.  Catharinea  angustata  Brid.     Narrow-leaved  Catharinea. 

8.  C.  crispa  James. 

9.  C.  undulata  (L.)  W.  &  M.     Wavy  Catharinea. 

10.  Pogonatum  alpinum  (L.)  Roehl.     Alpine  Pogonatum. 

11.  P.  capillare  (Mx.)  Brid. 

12.  P.  tenue  (Menz.)  E.  G.  Britton.     Slender  Pogonatum. 

13.  P.  urnigerum  (L  )  Beau  v.     Urn-like  Pogonatum. 

14.  Polytrichum  commune  L.     Common  Hair-cap. 

15.  P.  juniperinum  Willd.     Juniper  Hair-cap. 

16.  P.  Ohioense  R.  &  C.     Ohio  Hair-cap. 

17.  P.  piliferum  Schreb.     Awned  Hair-cap. 

18.  P.  strictum  Banks.     Erect  Hair-cap. 

FISSIDENTACE/E. 

19.  Fissidens  cristatus  Wils.     Fissidens. 

DICRANACE.K. 

20.  Leucobryum  glaucum  (L. )  Sch.     White  Moss. 

21.  Ceratodon  purpureus  (L. )  Brid.     Ceratodon. 

22.  Dicranella  heteromalla  (L.)  Sch.     Common  Dicranella. 

23.  Dicranella  heteromalla  orthocarpa  Hedw.    Erect  Dicranella. 

24.  Dicranum  flagellare  Hedw.     Flagellate  Dicranum. 

25.  D.  fulvum  Hook.     Fulvous  Dicranum. 

26.  D.  fuscescens  Turn.     Fuscous  Dicranum. 

27.  D.  Drummondii  C.  Muell.     Drummond's  Dicranum. 

28.  D.  scoparium  (L.)  Hedw.     Broom  Moss. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS  57 

D.  undulatum  Ehrh.     Wavy  Dicranum. 
Ditrichum  pallidum  (Schreb. )  Hampe.     Yellow  Ditrichnm. 
D.  tortile  (Schrad.)  Hampe.     The  Brown  Ditrichum. 
D.  vaginans  (Sulliv. )  Hampe.  The  Dark  Ditrichum. 
Pleuridium  subulatum.     Common  Pleuridium. 
Trematodon  ambiguus  (Hedw.)  Hornsch.     Northern  Long- 
necked  Moss. 


TORTULACE.E. 

35.  Pottia  truncatula  (L. )  Lindb. 

GRIMMIACE.K. 

36.  Hedwigia  albicans  (Web.)  Lindb.     Hedwigia. 

ORTHOTRICIIACE.l.. 

37.  Weissia  Americana  (Beauv. )  Lindb.     American  Weissia. 

38.  W.  coarctata  (Beauv.)  L,indb.     Puckered  Weissia. 

39.  W.  ulophylla  Ehrh.     Crisped  Weissia. 

40.  W.  ulophylla  crispula  (Bruch.)  Hammar. 

SPLACHNACE/E. 

41.  Splachnum  ampullaceum  L.     Splachnum. 

FUNARIACE  I  . 

42.  Funaria  hygrometrica  (L.)  Sibth.     Cord  Moss. 

43.  Physcomitrium  turbinatum  (Mx. )  Brid.     Urn  Moss. 

KARTRAMIACE.i:. 

44.  Bartramia  Oederi  (Gunn. )   Swtz.     Short-leaved  Bartramia. 

45.  B.  pomiformis  (L. )  Hedw.     Long-leaved  Bartramia. 

46.  Philonotis  fontana  (L. )  Brid.     Philonotis. 

bryack.i:. 

47.  Bryum  argenteum  L.     Silvery  Brym. 

48.  B.  proliferum  (L. )  Sibth.     Giant  Bryum. 

49.  Gymnocybe  palustris  (L. )  Fries.     Gymnocybe. 

50.  Leptobryum  pyriforme  (L. )   Wils.     Long-necked  Bryum. 
5f.     Mnium  affine  ciliare  (Grev.)  C.  M.     Toothed  Mnium. 

52.  M.  Drummondii  B.  &  S. 

53.  M.  hornum  L.     Long-leaved  Mnium. 

54.  M.  punctatum  L.     Early  Mnium. 

55.  M.  punctatum  elatum  Schimp.     Large-leaved  Mnium. 

56.  M.  spinulosum  B.  &  S. 

57.  M.  sylvaticum  Lindb.     Woodsy  Mnium. 


58  MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 

LESKEACE.T-. 

58.  Anomodon  apiculatus  B.  &  S.     Common  Anomodon. 

59.  A.  attenuatus  (Schreb. )  Huebn.     Slender  Anomodon. 

60.  -A.  minor  (P.  Beauv.)  Fuern.     Blunt-leaved  Anomodon. 

61.  Thelia  asprella  (Schimp. )  Sulliv. 

62.  T.  hirtella  Hedw.     Common  Thelia. 

63.  T.  Lescurii  Sulliv. 

64.  Thuidium  abietinum  (L.)  B.  &  S.     Wiry  Fern  Moss. 

65.  T.  delicatulum  (L  )  Mitt.     Common  Fern  Moss. 

66.  T.  recognitum  (Hedw.)  Lindb. 

67.  T.  scitum  (Beauv.)  Aust.     The  Smaller  Fern  Moss. 

HYPNACE.E. 

68.  Hylocomium  proliferum  (L  )  Lindb.     Mountain  Fern  Moss. 
69  H.  triquetrum  (Ehrh.)  B.  &  S.     Shaggy  Moss. 

70.  Hypnum  crista-castrensis  L.     Plume  Moss. 

71.  H.  curvifolium  Hedw. 

72.  H.  dilatatum  Wils.     Round-leaved  Hypnum, 

73.  H.  Haldanianum  Grev.     Common  Hypnum. 

74.  H.  imponens  Hedw.     Pinnate  Hypnum. 

75.  H.  reptile  Mx. 

76.  H.  Schreberi  Willd.     Schreber's  Hypnum. 

77.  H.  uncinatum  Hedw.     Hooked  Moss. 

78.  Plagiothecium  denticulatum  (L.)  B.  &  S.     Slender  Plagio- 

thecium. 

79.  P.  sylvaticum  (Huds.)  B.  &  S.     Woodsy  Plagiothecium. 

80.  Raphidostegium recurvans  (Mx.)  J.  &  S.     Raphidostegium. 

81.  Brachythecium  oxycladon    (Brid. )    J.  &  S.     Long-capsuled 

Brachythecium. 

82.  B.  acuminatum  (Hedw. )  Kindb.    Erect  Brachythecium. 

83.  B  plumosum  (Sw.)  B.  &  S. 

84.  B.  populeum   (Hedw.)  B.  &  S. 

85.  B.  rivulare  B.  &  S.     Rivulet  Brachythecium. 

86.  Cirriphy Hum  Boscii  (Schwaegr.)  Grout.  Spoon-leaved  Moss. 

87.  Eurhynchium  hians  (Hedw.)  J.  &  S.     Light  Beaked  Moss. 

88.  Rhynchostegium  rusciforme  (Neck.)  B.  &  S. 

89.  R.  serrulatum  (Hedw.)  J.  &  S.     Dark  Beaked  Moss. 

90.  Climacium  Americanum  Brid.     American  Tree  Moss. 

91.  C.  Americanum  Kindbergii  R.  &  C.     Kind  berg's  Tree  Moss. 

92.  C.  dendroides  (L.)  W.  &  M.     European  Tree  Moss. 

93.  Entodon    cladorrhizans  (Hedw.)    C.   Muell.     Flat-stemmed 

Entodon. 


MOSSES    WITH    A   HAND-LENS  50 

94-     E.  seductrix  (Hedw.)  C.  Musll.     Round-stemmed  Entodon. 

95.  Pylaisiella  Schimperi  (R.  &  C.)  Grout. 

NECKERACl    I  . 

96.  Neckera  pennata  (L.)  Hedw. 

LEUCODONTACK  I  . 

97.  Leucodon  brachypus  Brid.     Northern  Leucodon. 

98.  Leucodon  julaceus.     Southern  Leucodon. 


• 


FONTINALACI     I  . 

99-     Fontinalis  Dalecarlica  B.  &  S.     Common  Water  Moss. 
100.     F.  gigantea  Sulliv.     Giant  Water  Moss. 


*A  set  of  100  specimens  numbered  according  to  this  list  is  being  pre- 
pared by  the  author.  Subscriptions  $s.oo,  post-paid.  About  fifty  speci- 
mens  are  now  ready  for  delivery  (January,  iqoi). 


ERRATA 

Page  17.— For  Fig.  15  read  Fig.  13. 

Page  40.— Fourth  line  from  bottom:  For  Schreber's  Moss 
read  Schreber's  Hypnum. 

Page  47. —For  Fig.  59  read  Fig.  39. 

The  following  accents  are  either  lacking  or  are  incorrectly 
given : 

Page  3.— Webera.  Page  n.—  Leucobryum.  Page  26.— pomi- 
formis  and  Oederi. 


60  MOSSES   WITH   A   HAND-LENS 

AN  ILLUSTRATED  GLOSSARY  OF  BRYOLOGI- 
CAL  TERMS, 


THIS  is  not  intended  to  be  an  exhaustive  glossary  of  botanical 
terms,  but  a  glossary  of  those  terms  which  are  either  con- 
fined to  bryological  works  or  are  used  in  a  somewhat  dif- 
ferent meaning  when  applied  to  mosses.  Thus  the  common 
terms  descriptive  of  leaves  are  omitted,  except  acumen  and  a 
few  others  that  are  used  in  a  peculiar  or  unusual  way  by  some 
authors.  Very  few  terms  are  here  defined  that  are  sufficiently 
well  explained  in  the  common  phanerogamic  botanies  like  Gray, 
Wood,  or  Britton  and  Brown. 

Braithwaite's  British  Moss  Flora,  Lesquereux  and  James' 
Manual,  and  Dixon  and  Jameson's  Handbook  of  British  Mosses 
have  been  largely  consulted  and  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  de- 
termine the  meaning  of  each  term  according  to  the  usage  of  all 
the  authors  accessible. 

For  most  of  the  cuts  we  are  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
H.  N.  Dixon,  Mr.  Jameson,  and  their  publishers,  who  have  very 
kindly  allowed  us  the  use  of  the  cuts  in  their  Handbook  of  British 
Mosses,  a  work  which  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  moss  stu- 
dent whether  English  or  American.  Terms  whose  meaning  can 
be  made  sufficiently  clear  by  definition  are  not  illustrated  as  a 
rule.  In  order  to  use  the  same  figure  to  illustrate  two  or  more 
definitions  without  having  definition  and  figure  too  far  apart, 
the  glossary  is  arranged  alphabetically  under  topics  such  as 
leaves,  capsules,  etc.  The  first  section  consists  of  those  terms 
which  apply  to  leaves. 

TERMS    USED    IN    DESCRIBING    LEAVES. 

Acumen,  the  gradually  tapering  narrow  point  of  an  acumi- 
nate leaf.     (Fig.  2,  b. ) 

Acuminate,  a  term  usually  applied  to  leaves  that  gradually 
taper  to  a  narrow  point.  A  few  recent  writers  use  terms  as  ap- 
plying only  to  those  leaves  that  are  not  uniformly  narrowed  and 
limit  the  term  acumen  to  that  part  of  the  apex  beyond  the  point 
where  the  narrowing  begins  to  be  less  abrupt.  According  to 
these  authors  a  leaf  uniformly  narrowed  would  not  be  acuminate, 
no  matter  how  slender  the  apex.  The  author  has  followed  this 
usage  to  some  extent  in  previous  writings,  but  general  usage  does 
not  seem  to  sanction  this  restriction  of  the  term. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


6l 


lite 


Acumination,  see  acumen  and  acuminate. 
Alar  cells,  the  cells  at  the  basal  angles  of 
the  leaf,  commonly  different  from  the  cells  of 
the  main  part  of  the  leaf,  being  shorter  and 
often  nearly  square,  or  inflated  and  hyaline, 
and  often  highly  colored.     (Fig.  1.) 

Apical  cells,  the  cells  composing  the  apex 
of  the  leaf.     They  are  often  broader  and  shorter 
than  the  cells  of  the  middle  of  the  leaf. 

Areolat/o?i,  the  net- work  formed  by  the  outlines  of  the  cells 
of  a  leaf. 

Auricles,  small  lobes  at  the  basal  angles  of 
the  leaf,  usually  consisting  of  cells  differing 
from  those  of  the  main  part  of  the  leaf  in  size 
or  shape  or  both.  (Fig.  1  and  Fig.  2,  a.)  Prop- 
erly used  only  when  there  is  an  outward  curve 
in  the  outline  of  the  leaf  at  the  base,  as  in  the 
figures,  but  often  used  loosely  to  denote  the 
basal  angles  of  widely  decurrent  leaves. 

Basal  or  basilar  cells,  cells  at  the  base  or 
insertion  of  the  leaf,  often  of  different  shape 
and  color  from  those  of  the  main  part  of  the  leaf. 
Bicostate,  having  a  double    costa,    which    is    usually   much 
shorter  than  in  leaves  having  a  single  costa. 

Bifarious,  growing  in  two  ranks. 
Bracts,  a  term  applied  to  the  leaves  surrounding 
the  reproductive  organs.  Those  surrounding  the  anthe- 
ridia  are  called  perigonial  bracts  or  leaves,  and  those  sur- 
rounding the  archegonia  and  base  of  seta  are  called 
perichsetial. 

3  Bistratose,  of  two  layers  of  cells.     (Fig.  3.) 

Canaliculate,  channelled.     Applied  to  leaves  with  margins 

incurved,  so  as  to  give  them  a  channel -like  form;  e.  g.,  the  upper 

part  of  the  leaves  of  Dicranum  fuscescens.     A 

more  complete  inrolling  until  the  margins  meet 

would  make  the  leaf  tubulose. 

Bordered,  having  a  margin  different  from 
the  rest  of  the  leaf.  In  Mnium  and  Bryum  the 
border  consists  of  a  few  rows  of  greatly  elon- 
gated cells,  often  in  two  or  more  layers.  In 
some  species  of  Fissidens  the  border  is  of  a 
different  color,  but  with  little  difference  in  cell 
structure.    (Fig.  4.) 


62 


MOSSKS    WITH    A    I1AND-LKNS 


7. 


Circinate,  curved  into  a  circle,  resembling 
Fig.  2,  but  still  more  incurved,  so  that  the  apex 
is  nearly  or  quite  bent  around  to  the  leaf  base ; 
e  g.,  leaves  of  HyPnitm  uncinatum. 

Cirrate  or  cirrhate,  applied  to  leaves  which 
curl  up  in  drying.  Cirrate  leaves  are  more  reg- 
ularly curled  than  crispate  leaves. 

Cirrhose,  having  a  wavy  hair  point. 
Cochleariform,  rounded  and  concave  like  a 
spoon  or  ladle. 

Complicate,  folded  together. 
Costa,  the  nerve  or  midrib  of  a  moss  leaf. 
Costate,  having  a  costa. 

Crispate    or    crisped,    frizzled,     curled     and 
twisted  in  various  ways.     (Fig.  5.) 

Citcullate,   hood-shaped,   the  apex  curved  in 
like  a  slipper.     (Apex  of  leaf  in  Fig.  6  ) 

Cultriform,  curved  like  a  short,  wide  scimi- 
tar ;  e.  g.  ,  the  leaves  of  Homalia  trichomanoides 
James  ii. 

Cymbiform,  boat- shaped  (used  by  Dixon  as  a 
synonym  of  cucullate);  e.  g.,  leaves  of  Sphagnum 
cymbifolium.     (The  whole  leaf  in  Fig.  6  ) 

Dorsal,  belonging  to  or  on  the  back ;  /.  e. ,  the 
face  of  a  leaf  remote  from  the  stem. 
Ecostate,  lacking  a  costa. 

Excurrent  costa,  a  costa  running  out  beyond  the 
lamina  of  a  leaf.      (Fig.  7.) 

Excavate,  (leaf-insertion)  hollowed  out  in  a 
curve. 

Falcate,  curved  like  a  sickle.      (Fig.  2  ) 
Flexuose,  bent  backwards  and  forwards,  or  wavy. 
Hamate,  or  hamulose,  curved  like  a  hook;  more 
sharply  and   abruptly  curved   than  in  falcate   and 
c  ire  in  ate. 

Heteromallous,  (leaves  or  branches)  turned  in 
different  directions. 

Homomallous,    turned   in  .the    same   direction. 
Imbricated,   closely  overlapping  each  other  like 
the  tiles  of  a  roof.      (Fig.  8.) 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


I  tm§>, 

3  °Q-Pn  o 
l°o°oQ5>c 

9  rP~0°r£ 


allies. 


Incrassate,  of  the  cell  walls,  thickened  ;  of 
the  cells,  having  thickened  walls.      (Fig.  9  ) 

Inflated*  applied  to  the  alar  cells  of  leaves 
when  enlarged  much  beyond  the  size  of  the 
neighboring  cells.     (Fig.  10. ) 

Lamella,  thin  sheets  or  plates  of  tissue; 
the  plates  arising  from  the  costa  of  the  hair-caps  and  their 
(Fig.  11.) 

Lamellate,  having  la- 
in el  he. 

Lamina,  the  blade  or  ex- 
panded part  of  the  leaf  as 
distinct  from  the  costa. 

Limb,  the  upper  part  of 
a  leaf  as  distinct  from  the 
leaf  base. 

Litnbate     leaf,     a    leaf 
bordered   by  a   part   of    an- 
other color ;  e.  g.,  many  spe- 
cies of  Fissidens. 

Margined,  see  bordered. 

Median  leaf  cells,  those  from  the  middle  of  the 
leaf. 

Nerve,  see  costa. 

Papilltc,  minute  rounded  or  acute  protuberances. 

Papillose,  rough  with  papilke.     (Fig    3.) 

Paraphvllia,  minute    leaf-like    or    much- 
(///•  branched  organs  among  the  leaves.     (Fig.  12. ) 
Ul  E.  g.,  Thuidium. 

Parenchymatous,  cells  with  broad  ends 
abutting  on  each  other,  not  dovetailing  into 
each  other.     (The  large  cells  in  Fig.  4  ) 

Patent,  ■  spreading  at  an  angle  of  26    45 
(Braithwaite)  ;  spreading  at  an  angle  of  45    or  more  (Dixon). 
Patulous,  more  widely  spreading  than  patent. 
Percurrent  costa,  reaching  to  the  apex  of  the  leaf,  but  not 
beyond. 

Periductal,  see  bracts. 
Pcrigonial,  see  bracts. 

Pitted  cell  walls,  those  marked  with  small  apertures  or  de- 
pressions ;  e.  g.,  the  cell  walls  of  the  leaves  of  Dtcranurnscoparium 
and  other  species. 


64 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


7 


Plicate ;    folded   in   pleats  or  furrows;  e.  g., 
leaves  of  Camptothecium.     (Fig.  14) 
Plica%  folds  of  a  plicate  leaf. 
Pluriseriate,   many  ranked;  i.  e.,  as  applied 
to  leaves  arranged  in  several  rows  along  the  stem. 
Porose,  see  pitted,    with   which  Fig.    13    be- 
longs. 

Primordial  utricle,  "the  first  layer  depos- 
ited within  a  cell."  As  applied  to  the  cells  of  the 
moss  leaf  it  refers  to  the  layer  of  protoplasm  lying 
next  the  cell  wall,  which  often  is  very  conspicuous 
when  dried  and  shrunken  away  from  the  cell  wall. 
As  a  character  for  use  in  the  identification  of 
species  it  is  valueless,  because  its  appearance  is 
due  to  circumstances  not  well  understood,  and  is 
frequently  present  in  some  specimens  and  lacking 
in  others  of  the  same  species. 

Proseiichymatous,  (cells)  with  pointed  ends 
dovetailing  into  each  other.     (Fig.  15.) 

Quadrate,  (cells)  square  or  nearly  so. 
(Fig.  1.) 

Rosulate,  in  the  form  of  a  rosette. 
Rugose,  wrinkled  (in  the  case  of  leaves  it  is 
usually  applied    to    transverse    wrinkles);  e.  g., 
leaves  of  Hypnum  rugosum. 

Secund,  twisted  or  turned  to  one  side.     (Fig. 
16.)    E  g  ,  leaves  of  many  Hypnums.    Not  neces- 
sarily curved  as  in  the  figure. 
*®  Striate,  marked  with  strise  or  slight  furrows. 

Sulcate,  deeply  furrowed  with  longitudiual  channels.  As 
applied  to  leaves,  both  striate  and  sulcate  really  refer  to  the 
fold  whose  concave  surface  is  on  the  inner  or  ventral  surface 
of  the  leaf. 

Tubulose,  see  caftaliculate. 

Uncinate,  hooked,  curved  back  at  point.  (Fig.  16.) 
Undulate,  with  an  alternately  concave  and  convex 
margin,  wavy;  e.  g.,  leaves  of  Dicranum  undulatum. 
Ventral  surface,  the  surface  of  a  leaf  next  the  stem. 
Vermicular,  narrow  and  curved  like  a  little  worm; 
applied  to  leaf  cells. 

Verruculous  or  verrucose,  covered  with  wart-like 
prominences.     (Fig.  17.) 


!    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


'•5 


Vesicular^  inflated  like  a  bladder. 
II 'dry,  see  undulate. 
TERMS  USED    IN   CONNECTION   WITH  THE  REPRODUCTIVE   ORG 

.  It  rocarpous,  having  the  sporophyte 
terminal  on  a  stem  or  ordinary  branch. 
Acrocarpous  mosses  can  usually  be  easily 
distinguished  by  the  erect  habit  as  shown 
in  the  figure.  (Fig.  iS.)  The  old  sporo- 
phyte often  seems  lateral  in  acrocarpous 
mosses,  because  the  stem  grows  on  the 
next  year  from  a  point  just  below  the 
base  of  the  sporophyte. 

Aggregate,  clustered ;  usually  ap- 
plied to  two  or  more  sporophytes  from 
one  perichsetium. 

Amentula,  applied  to  the  special  an- 

theridia-bearing  branches  of  Sphagnum. 

Androgynous,  with  antheridia  and 

archegonia  in  the  same  cluster  of  leaves; 

/.  e.,  either  synoicous  or  paroicous. 

Antkeridium,  the  male  reproductive 

organ  containing  the  antherozoids.    ( Fig. 

19.) 

Antkerozoid,  the  small   flagellate  male   cell   which  escapes 

from  the  antheridium,  and  in  wet  weather  swims  to  the  arche- 

gonium  and  down  its  neck  to  the  egg  cell  in  the  bottom. 

Archegonium,  the  flask-shaped  female  reproductive   organ. 
See  also  antherozoid. 

Autoicous  or  auta-cious,  having 
male  and  female  organs  on  the  same 
plant.  According  to  Braithwaite  there 
are  three  forms. 

1.  Clad  autoicous,  with  the  male 
organs  on  a  special  proper  branch. 

2.  Gonio autoicous,  with  the  male 
organs  in  a  bud-like  cluster,  and  ax- 
illary on  a  female  branch. 

3-     Rhiz  autoicous,  male  branch  very  short  and  cohering  to 
the  female  by  the  rhizoids. 
Bisexual,  synoicous. 

Cladocarpous,  having  the  sporophyte  terminatinga  short  spec- 
1  fertile  branch;  somewhat  like  half-way  between  acrocarpous 


20 


and  pleurocarpous 


Fontinalis. 


66 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Diokoits  or  diaxious,  having  the  male  and  female  organs  on 
separate  plants. 

Flowers,  often  applied  to  the  reproductive  organs. 
Fruit,  often  applied  to  the  sporophyte. 

Gametophyte  or  gametophore,  that  part  of  the  plant  which 
bears  the  gametes  or  sexual  cells.  In  mosses  all  the  plant  ex- 
cept the  "  fruit,"  or  seta  and  capsule. 

Inflorescence,   often    applied    to 
the  clusters  of  reproductive  organs. 
Monoicous  or  moncecious,  having 
male  and  female    organs  on   the 
same  plant,  but  separate. 

Oosphere,  the  egg  cell  or  ovum 

found  in  the  base  of  the   arche- 

gonium.      After    fertilization,    by 

mion   witn  tne  antherozoid,    it  develops  into  the  sporophyte. 

(Fig 

Paraphyses,  joined  hyaline  hairs 
growing  among  the  reproductive  organs. 
(Fig.  21.) 

Paroicous,  having  its  male  and  fe- 
male organs  in  the  same  cluster,  but  not 
mixed,  the  antheridia  being  in  the  axils 
of  the  perichaetial  bracts  below  the  arch- 
egonia.     (Fig.  22.) 

Perichaztium  and  perigonium,  see 
under  topic  leaves. 

Pleurocarpous,  having  the  sporo- 
phyte lateral  on  a  short  lateral  special 
branch.  (Fig.  23.)  Pleurocarpous  mosses 
can  usually  be  recognized  by  the  creeping 
habit. 

Spermatozoid,  see  antherozoid. 

Sporophyte  or  sporophore,  the  spore-bearing  part  or  genera- 
tion. In  mosses  it  consists  of  the  seta  and  capsule  and  constitutes 
the  so-called  fruit. 

Stipitate,  having  a  short  stem.  Applied  to  antheridia  and 
archegonia. 

Synoicons  or  syncecious,  having  the  male  and  female  organs 
mixed  together  in  the  same  cluster.     (Fig.  21.) 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


67 


TERMS  USED  IN  THE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  GAMETOPHVTE,  EXCLUSIVE  OK 
THOSE  ALREADY  DEFINED. 

Ccrspitose,  forming  matted  tufts  or  cushions ;  e.  g. ,  Leucobryum. 
Canescent,  rather  hoary;  e.  g.%  Ra- 
comitrium  canescens. 

Central  strand.  The  middle  of  many 
moss  stems  is  made  up  of  a  bundle  of 
much  narrower  and  more  slender  cells, 
known  as  the  '  'central  strand. ' '  ( Fig.  24. ) 
This  is  usually  continuous  with  the  mid- 
rib or  costa  of  the  leaves,  much  after  the 
manner  of  the  vascular  bundles  in  the 
higher  plants. 

Capitulum,  a  rounded  head. 
Coma  or  comal  tuft,  a  tuft  of  leaves  at  the  top  of  a  stem  or 
branch. 

Confervoid,  formed  of  fine  threads. 

Fascicle,  a   bunch  or  cluster  of 
leaves  or  branches. 

Fasciculate,  arranged  in  bunches 
Fastigiate,     of    branches,     all 
reaching  an  equal  height.  (Fig.  18.) 
Flagella,  fine  string-like  branch- 
es; e.  g.,  Dicranum  flagellars 

Gemmce,  bud  like  bodies,  capa- 
ble  of  reproducing  the  plant. 
Sometimes  borne  in  special  heads, 
sometimes  on  the  surface  of  the 
leaves.     (Fig.  25.) 

Gemmiferous  or  Gemmiparous, 
bearing  gemmae. 

Gregarious,    growing    near   to- 
gether or  clustered,  but  not  in  close 
tufts  or  mats. 
.  Hygroscopic,  readily  absorbing  water  and  thereby  altered  in 
form  or  direction. 

Julaceous,  smooth  slender  and  cylindric;  like  a  catkin  or  a 
worm. 


68 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


Pinnate,  having  numerous  equi- 
distant spreading  branches  on  each 
side,  like  a  feather.     (Fig.  26.) 

Plumose,  feathery. 

Polygamous,  with  antheridia  and 
archegonia  disposed  in  various  ways 
on  the  same  plant. 

Proliferous,  bearing  young  shoots 
from  the  antheridial  or  archegonial 
cluster  of  leaves. 

Protonema,  the  green,  branched,  alga-like  threads  produced 
from  the  spore  and  voften  persist- 
ent   during    the    lifetime    of    the 
plant    produced    from    it.       Pro- 
tonema and  radicles  differ  chiefly 
in    the    presence    or    absence    of 
chlorophyll,   and  either  may  de- 
velop the  other.     (Fig.  27.) 
Pseudopodium,  a  leafless  branch 
resembling  a  seta  and  often  bearing  gemmae.     (Fig.  25.) 
Pulvinate,  like  a  cushion. 

Radicles,  rootlets  springing  from  the  sides  and  base  of  stem. 
See  also  firotonona. 

Rajntili,  minute  branchlets. 
Rhizoid,  see  radicles. 

Stoloniferous  stem,   a  slender  creeping  stem   with  minute 
leaves. 

Substratum,   that  upon  which  the  plant  grows;  e.  g.,  soil, 
stones,  etc. 

Tomentose,  covered  with  a  thick  felt  of  radicles. 

TERMS    USED    IN    DESCRIBING    THE    SPOROPHYTE. 

Acicular,  needle-shaped.     Applied  to  the  beak  of  the  oper- 
culum. 

Amphithccium,  the  outer  layers  of  cells  of  the  sporogonium. 
fi(V(JWl)/)7V7Vao  Annulus,  a  specialized  ring  of  vesicular  cells 


between  the  mouth  of  the  capsule  and  the  lid. 


"fit 

w^/     These  cells  are  often  highly  elastic  and  aid  in 
£®  removing  the  lid  when  the  spores  are  ripe ;  they 

have  a  peculiar  appearance,  which  is  well  illustrated  in  Fig.  28. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


69 


Apophysis,  see  hypophysis,  the  more 
correct  term  according  to  Braithwaite. 

Appendiculate  cilia,  cilia  with  small 
transverse  spurs  attached  at  intervals 
along  the  margin.  (Fig.  29.)  As  these 
bars  sometimes  extend  inward  instead  of 
laterally,  they  are  not  always  visible  in  a 
strictly  dorsal  view. 

Arcuate,  (capsule)  bent  in  a  curve 
like  a  bow.     (Fig.  30.) 

Articulate,  (teeth  of  peristome) 
marked  by  cross-bars  as  in  Figs. 
31  and  43. 

Astomous,  (capsule)  without  a 
mouth.  Used  of  capsules  which 
have  no  regularly  dehiscent  lid. 

Beak,  prolonged   narrow  tip  of 
the  operculum.     The   opercula  in 
Figs.  30  and  32  are  strongly  beaked. 

Calyptra,  the  thin  veil  or  hood  covering   the 
mouth  of  the  capsule.     (Figs.  33  and  41.) 

Cancellate,  latticed.     Used  of  the  endostome  of 
the  Fontinalacecc. 
23        Capsule,  the  enlarged  distal  end  of  the  sporo 
phyte;  it  contains  the  spores,  and  is  sometimes 
known  as  the  sporangium.     (Figs.  30,  32,  35,  39  and  40.) 

Cernuous,  (capsule)  droop- 
ing or  nodding,  somewhat  in- 
clined as  opposed  to  erect. 
(Fig-  350 

Cilia,  hair-like  threads  of  the 
endostome,     alternating     witli 
the   segments.       (Fig.    29   and 
Figs.  36,  c  and  43,  d. ) 
Clathrate,  resembling  lattice-work. 
Cleistocarpous,  capsule  opening  irregularly,  not 
by  a  lid  or  valves. 

Collum,  the  neck  or  tapering  base  of  the  cap- 
sule.     (See  Fig.  40.) 

Columella,  the  central  axis  of  the  capsule; 
around  it  and  between  it  and  the  outer  wall  of 
the  capsule  are  borne  the  spores.      Sometimes  the 


70 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


lid  adheres    to    it    and   is    raised    upon    it,    as    in 
Fig.  37- 

Co7istricted,   used  of    capsules  that  become  nar 
rowed  under  the  mouth  when  dry.     (Fig.  32.) 
Contracted,  see  constricted. 

Cribose,     (peristome     teeth)    perforated    with 
small  apertures.     (Fig.  38.) 

Cucullate  calyptra,   a  calyptra  that  is  hood- 
shaped  and  split  on  one  side  only.     (Fig.  33.) 

Cygneous,    (seta)  curved  suddenly  downwards 
like  a  swan's  neck. 

Deopcrculate,  applied  to  a  capsule  after  its  lid 
has  fallen  off. 
Dimidiate,  split  on  one  side. 

Divisural  line,    the  line  down   the  teeth  of  a  peristome, 

through  which  they  split.     (The  zigzag  line  down  the  middle  of 

the  teeth  and  the  line  down  the  middle  of  the  segments  in  Fig.  43. ) 

Emergent  or  emersed,  half  uncovered ;  of  the  capsule,  when 

the  perichastial  leaves  reach  but  do  not  overtop  it. 

Endostome,  see  under  peristome. 

Endothecium,  the  inner  layers  of  cells  of  the  capsule. 
Epiphragm,  a  membrane  covering  the  mouth  of  the  deoper- 
culate  capsule ;  in  the  Polytrichums  and  their  allies  it  consists  of 
the  dilated  top  of  the  columella.     (Fig.  35,  a.) 
Exostome,  see  under  peristome. 

Exserted,  elevated  above  the  surrounding  parts;  of  the  cap- 
sule, when  the  perichsetial  leaves  do  not  reach  so  high  as  its  base. 
Fenestrated,  perforated. 
Geniculate,  (seta)  suddenly  bent,  like  a  knee. 

Gibbous,  (capsule)  more  tumid  or  swollen 
on    one    side    than    on    the  other.     Fig. 

39-) 

Glaucous,    originally   applied   to   plants 
covered  with   a   bluish   white   bloom,    but 
now  applied  to  mosses  that  have  that  color. 
Granulose  ox  granulated,  rough  as  with 
minute  grains  of  sand. 
Gymnostomous,  without  a  peristome. 

Hygroscopic,  readily  absorbing  water  and  thereby  altered  in 
form  or  direction.  Hygrometric  is  sometimes  used  with  a  similar 
meaning. 

Hypophysis,  a  swelling  of  the  seta  immediately  under  the 
capsule.     (Fig.  35.) 


MOSSES   WITH    A    HAND-LENS  -[ 

Immersed,  covered  up;  of  the  capsule  when  the  perichaetial 
leaves  project  beyond  it. 

Leptodermous,  thin  coated;  applied  to  capsules  when  soft 
and  pliable. 

Lid,  see  operculum. 

Mamillatc,  or  mam  miliar,  (lid  of 
the  capsule)  convex  with  a  short 
projection  in  the  center.  (Figs.  40 
and  41.) 

Mitriform,  (calyptra)  cleft  on 
on  two  or  more  sides,  and  symmet- 
rical.     (Fig.  41.) 

M uric  ate,      Muriculate,      (spore) 
rough     with    minute     sharp     points. 
Neck  (of  the  capsule),  the  lowest  part  just  above  the  point 
where  it  joins  the  seta.     See  also  collum. 

Nodose,  covered  with  knots  or  prominences. 
Nodulose,    covered   with   very  small   knots  or  prominences 
(the  cilia  in  Fig.  43). 

Ochrea,  a  thin  sheath  around  the  base  of  the  seta,  terminating 
the  vaginula. 

Operculum,  the  lid  which  closes  the  capsule  and,  falling,  per- 
mits the  spores  to  escape.     (Figs.  32.  37,  40.) 

Pachvdermous,  thick  skinned ;  applied   to  the  walls  of  cap- 
sules or  to  cells  when  firm  and  resisting. 

Papillose,   (seta)  rough  with  small  rounded 
or  acute  protuberances.      (Fig.  42  ) 
Pedicel,  see  seta. 

Pendulous,  somewhat  hanging  or  drooping; 
more  so  than  in  cernous.     (Fig.  40.) 

Peristome,  the  fringe  surrounding  the  mouth 

of  the  capsule  upon  removing   the  lid.     This 

42      fringe  may  consist  of  a  single  row  of  processes, 


72 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


known  as  teeth,  as  in  Fig.  31,  or  of 
a  double  row  as  in  Fig.  43.  In 
the  latter  case  the  entire  fringe  is 
still  the  peristome,  but  the  term  is 
also  applied  in  a  particular  sense 
to  the  outer  row ;  the  outer  row  is 
often  spoken  of  as  the  exostome 
(b),  and  the  inner  as  the  endostome 
(c).  The  inner  row  consists  of  as 
many  projections  as  the  outer,  but 
alternating  with  them;  these  are 
known  as  processes  or  segments 
(c).  Between  the  segments  there 
are  often  one  or  more  slender  hair- 
like processes  known  as  cilia. 
(Fig.  43.  d;  fig.  36,  c.) 

Moss  peristomes,  viewed  with  a 
compound  microscope,  are  among 
the  most  beautiful  of  natural  ob- 
jects. They  are  not  composed  of 
cells  (except  in  the  Polytrichaceae  and  a  few  other  small  families), 
but  of  thickened  cell  walls.  The  cross  markings  on  the  teeth, 
segments,  and  cilia  are  the  lines  of  junction  of  the  transverse  cell 
walls  with  the  longitudinal  cell  walls  forming  the  peristome.  The 
radial  walls  are  rarely  thickened  so  as  to  appear  in  any  way ;  the 
divisural  line  shows  the  place  of  their  attachment  to  the  teeth  and 
segments. 

The  researches  of  Philibert  have  shown  that  the  endostome, 
not  the  exostome,  corresponds  to  the  peristome  of  the  mosses 
having  a  single  row  of  teeth. 

Processes,  see  under  perist07ne. 
Rost el late,  (operculum)  with  a  short  beak. 
Rostrate,  (operculum)  with  a  long  beak.     (Figs.  30  and  32.) 
Rough,  same  as  papillose. 
Scabrous,  same  as  papillose. 
Segments,  see  under  peristome. 

Seta,  the  stalk  on  which  the  capsule  is  borne.  (Figs.  30,  35, 
and  40. ) 

Sporangium,  often  applied  to  the  capsule,  but  by  some 
authors  restricted  to  the  spore  sac,  or  inner  sac  of  the  capsule 
containing  the  spores. 


MOSSES    WITH    A    HAND-LENS 


4uto 


: 


®r 


44WP 


Spores,  small  round  bodies  contained  in  the  capsule,  serving 
the  purpose  of  seeds,  but  in  no  way  homologous  with  them. 
(Fig.  43,  e.) 

Spororogonium,  the  sporophyte  or  spore-bearing  part  of 
the  moss. 

Stegocarpous,  having  the  capsule  operculate. 

Stomata,  pores  in  the  walls  of  capsules,  sur- 
rounded by  special  guard -cells  and  serving  the 
same  purpose  as  the  stomata  in  the  epidermis 
of  the  leaves  of  the  flowering  plants.     ( Fig.  44. ) 
Struma,  a  goitre-like  swelling  on  one  side  at 
the  base  of  the  capsule.     (Fig.  32.) 
Slrumose,  having  a  struma. 
Sulcate,    (capsule)   deeply  furrowed.      (Fig. 
39-) 
Systilius,  "the  lid  continuing  fixed  to  the  columella, 
and  thus  elevated  above  the  capsule  when  dry."     (Fig. 
37) 

Tes set  late,  checkered  in  little  squares;  applied  par- 
ticularly to  the  peristomes  of  some  of  the  Tortulaceaj. 
(Fig.  45-) 

Tooth,  see  under  peristome. 

Trabcculate,  (peristome  teeth)  with  prominent  trans- 
verse bars.     (Fig.  31.) 

Tumid,  turgid,  appearing  as  if  swollen  from 
pressure  within. 

Turbinate,  top  shaped;  e.  g.,  capsule  of  Br  yum  tur- 
binatum. 

Umbonate,  round  with  a  projecting  point  in  the 
center. 

Urceolate,  shaped  like  an  urn  or  pitcher. 
Vaginula,  the  cellular  sheath  surrounding  the  base 
of  the  seta,  originally  the  lower  part  of  the  archegonium. 
Veil,  the  calyptra. 
Ventricose,  bulging  on  one  side.      (Fig.  46.) 


INDEX 


(To  text  only) 


3i.  53- 
26,  27. 
45.  46. 
43,  46. 

-  5o. 

-  39- 
44. 


Anomodon,  -  -  • 
Bartramia,  -  -  ■ 
Beaked  Mosses,  -  • 
Brachythecium,  -     ■ 

acuminatum,    -     ■ 

oxycladon,  -     -     ■ 

plumosum,  -    -    ■ 

populeum, 44. 

rivulare, 44. 

Broom  Moss, 12. 

Bryum,  -    -     -     -  23,  24,  25,  29. 

Buxbaumia, 2,  3. 

Catharinea,  -  -  -  -  8,  9,  10 
Ceratcdon,  -  -  -  14,  15,  28. 
Cirriphyllum,  -  -47,  36,  45. 
Climacium,  -  -  -  51,  52,  42. 
Cord  Moss,  -  -  -  -  22,  23. 
Cylindrothecium,     -     -     -      50. 

Dicranella, 13. 

Dicranum,  -  11,  12,  13,  4,  36. 
Ditrichum,  -  -  -  -  15,  16. 
Drummondia,      ...     -      17. 

Entodon, 50,  36. 

Eurhynchium,  -  -  45,  46,  36. 
Fern  Mosses  -     -     -     -     33,  34. 

Fissidens, 10,  11. 

Fontinalis, 55. 

Funaria, 22. 

Georgia, 4. 

Grimmia  Family,  -  17,  19,  49. 
Gymnocybe,  -  -  -  27,  28,  14. 
Hair-cap  Mosses  -  -  5,  6,  7. 
Hedwigia,  -  -  -  18,  19,  14,  17. 
Hooked  Moss,  -  -  -  -  41. 
Hygrohypnum,  -  -  -  -  42. 
Hylocomium,  -  -  34,  35,  40. 
Hypnum  Family,  -  -  -  36. 
Hypnum,    -    -     -     -   36,  45,  52. 

common,      -     -    -     -    -      39. 

crista-castrensis,  -    -     -      37. 

curvifolium,     -     -     -    -      38. 

dilatatum,    -     -    -     -     43,  35. 

Haldanianum,      ...      39. 

imponens,    -     -     ~.     -     37,  38., 


molle, 43. 

ochraceum,       -    -     -    -      42. 

Pinnate,       -     -    -    -     36,  38. 

reptile, 38. 

Schreberi, 40. 

uncinatum,       ....      4.L 

Water  loving,  -     -     -     42,  34. 

Leptobryum, 25. 

Leptotrichum,     ....      15. 

Leskea, 31,  53. 

Leucobryum, 11. 

Leucodon, 54.  55- 

Long  necked  Moss,      -     -      16. 

Mnium, 29,  30. 

Neckera, 53. 

Orthotrichum,  -  -  17,  19,  20. 
Peat  Moss,      -     -    -     -  1,  2,  11. 

Philonotis, 27. 

Plagiothecium,  -  -  -  48,  36. 
Plume  Moss,  -    -     -     -     37,  38. 

Pogonatum, 7,  8. 

Pohlia, -     -      25. 

Polytrichum,  -  -  -  -  5,  6,  7. 
Physcomitrium,  -    -    -    -      23. 

Pleuridium, 16. 

Pylaisia, 49. 

Pylaisiella,  -  -  -  -  49,  36. 
Raphidostegium,  -  -  45,  36, 
Rhynchostegium,  42,  46,  36,  45. 
Shaggy  Moss,      -    -    -    -      35. 

Sphagnum, 1. 

Spoon-leaved  Moss,  -  -  47. 
Splachnum,     -    -    -    -    21,  16. 

Tetraphis, -4. 

Thelia, 32. 

Thuidium,  -  -  -  -  33,  28. 
Tree  Mosses,  -     -    -    -     51,  52. 

Trematodon, 16. 

Ulota, 21. 

Urn  Moss, 23. 

Water  Mosses,    -    -    -    -      55. 

Webera, -        3. 

Weissia,  -  -  -  -  19,  20,  21. 
White  Moss, ii% 


rKOKRTY  LIBRARY 
N-  C.  State  College 


QK^I  GIT11"3  State  UnlV6rSity  Ubrarie* 


M0SSES|S mmmNS  AND  MICROSCOPE  A  NON-TE 


S02777647  P 


